DNA-based Nanoplasmonics
This project uses DNA to arrange nanoparticles for new materials, enhanced chemical reactions, and controlled biological processes using light.
This grant is no longer accepting proposals
NRC Research Associateship Programs has archived this opportunity.
Funder: NRC Research Associateship Programs
Due Dates: May 1, 2025 (Application Deadline)
Funding Amounts: $99,200 stipend plus $3,000 travel allowance; typical postdoctoral fellowship duration 2-3 years.
Summary: Postdoctoral fellowship to conduct research combining DNA nanostructures with plasmonic nanoparticles for novel metamaterials, enhanced catalysis, and light-controlled biological processes.
Key Information: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents; requires Ph.D. earned within 5 years; relocation and health insurance benefits included.
Description
This fellowship opportunity at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) focuses on pioneering research that integrates DNA-based structural technology with plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs). The research aims to develop novel metamaterials, enhance catalytic processes, and enable precise control over biological molecules using light.
Key aspects include:
- Utilizing DNA's ability to self-assemble into complex nanostructures (e.g., DNA origami) to precisely position multiple nanoparticles with angstrom-level accuracy.
- Employing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) whose localized plasmon resonance can be activated by visible or near-infrared light to locally heat their environment.
- Using this photothermal effect to activate enzymes conjugated to AuNPs in a spatiotemporal manner, allowing exquisite external light modulation of enzymatic activity.
- Applications include novel metamaterials design, enhanced multi-enzyme catalytic cascades, and controlled biological processes.
Representative publications related to this research include:
- Green et al., ACS Nano (2021): Conjugation of quantum dots to DNA nanostructures.
- Hastman et al., ACS Nano (2020): Quantitative local nanothermometry using femtosecond laser excitation of DNA-labeled AuNPs.
- Díaz et al., ACS Catalysis (2021): Gold nanoparticle templating to increase catalytic rates in enzyme cascades.
Keywords: DNA, Plasmonics, Nanoparticles, Photothermal Heating, Metamaterials, Enzyme Activation.
