DNA origami catalysts

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Englert, Klaudia (2020). DNA origami catalysts. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

DNA has a vast amount of applications beyond being a principle molecular component of life. DNA nanotechnology plays an important role within the field of synthetic biology, which has been referred to as one of the flagships of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, as it explores a broad range of interdisciplinary fields in order to tackle some of the greatest challenges of the modern world. One of these challenges is increasing power demand and storage, for which generating cheaper fuel cells with improved efficiencies is an active area of research. The work described in this thesis has largely focused on exploiting DNA nanotechnology to provide new assemblies that could act as material precursors for next-generation fuel cells. It is divided into four sections:
1. DNA extracted from salmon milt was used as a scaffold for fuel cell catalyst precursor development. Through the addition of cisplatin, a range of platinum loadings within the DNA scaffold were determined and analysed using spectroscopic techniques.
2. A range of DNA duplexes, nanostructures and origami assemblies were employed as a scaffold for the precise placement of platinum metals along the DNA backbone through the addition of cisplatin.
3. Iron was explored as an alternative metal to platinum that is cheaper and more readily available. It was incorporated into various DNA duplexes and nanostructures in the form of ferrocene using automated solid phase synthesis.
4. An approach to develop more robust DNA nanostructures was explored through the application of anthracene photocyclisation to covalently link assemblies together.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):