Direct electrical control of protein nanomachines via DNA-based charge transport​

Proteins—nature’s molecular machines—can perform a diverse set of tasks with atomic precision, and interfacing of proteins with solid-state materials has applications in miniaturized biosensors (e.g., nanopore DNA sequencing), molecular computing (e.g., molecular circuits), and molecular machines (e.g., de novo DNA synthesis). Building such “hybrid” nanotechnological devices, however, requires efficient coupling of molecular activity to electronic signals. Here, DNA—nature’s information carrier—can serve as both a structural scaffold for the spatial organization of proteins and as a molecular electrical conduit, shuttling electric charge between solid-state devices and protein nanomachines. 

This PhD project explores the use of DNA-based charge transport to electrically control protein activity at the single-molecule level. Specifically, you will (1) develop stable, site-specific conductive contacts between DNA and nanoscale electrodes, (2) study charge transport characteristics across various interfaces (e.g., solid state-DNA, DNA-protein), and (3) demonstrate control of single protein activity via DNA-based charge transfer. Insights gained will advance our ability to harness nature’s nanomachines for various applications. 

You will work within a multidisciplinary team in imec’s international environment, involving hands-on work in state-of-the-art facilities (e.g., micro- and nanoelectrode fabrication, surface functionalization, electrochemical measurements, ...) and molecular modelling and theory of nanoscale phenomena. Imec seeks a highly motivated PhD candidate to develop cutting-edge nanotechnology at the interface of nanoelectronics, biochemistry, and electrochemistry.