DNA Nanotechnology Tools for Barcoded Immunostaining and Single-Molecule Cryo-EM of Membrane Proteins

Diana Goncalves-Schmidt, Dept. of Chemistry, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
Thorsten Schmidt, Dept. of Physics, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA

Hosts: Pedro Viana Baptista, UCIBIO, NOVA

ZOOM link: https://ucibio.pt/l/GuestSeminars

Abstract:

DNA is a unique polymer. It is the information storage molecule of all known life forms, but can also be used to build up complex, artificial structures that are not found in Biology. Our labs are leveraging this programmability to engineer nanoscale architectures and tools for applications in Biophysics and Structural Biology.

1) In the first half of the seminar, Dr. Goncalves Schmidt will present a DNA nanotechnology-based approach to label antigens in electron microscopy images of tissue sections with high contrast patterns. For this, we attached gold nanoparticles to designated binding positions on DNA origami structures that act as visual ‘barcodes’. In histology, immunostaining of biological samples is a gold standard for studying cellular processes such as expression of cell surface markers or the cellular uptake of proteins and drug molecules. Immuno-Gold labelling is a commonly used technique, but simultaneous visualization of multiple antigens in parallel is an unresolved challenge.

2) In the second half of the seminar, Dr. Schmidt will demonstrate how DNA-lipid nanodiscs can be made as novel molecular tools to study membrane proteins (MPs) in a native membrane-like environment. MPs are key players in cellular functions such as sensing, intercellular communication, material transport, cell adhesion, and energy conversion. Dr. Schmidt’s lab seeks to over-come some challenges of solving MP structures by single-particle cryo-EM with DNA nanotechnology. 
 

Short Bio:

Diana Goncalves-Schmidt: short CV
Thorsten Schmidt: short CV