Research

The programme combines a long-standing foundation in nucleic-acids chemistry and DNA nanotechnology with expanding work on organic, inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials.

Nucleic-acids chemistry

1. 01

   Molecular recognition and non-canonical DNA

   Experimental and theoretical analysis of DNA–small-molecule interactions, single-nucleotide recognition, G-quadruplexes, i-motifs and other functional nucleic-acid structures.

   Articles ↗
2. 02

   DNA topology and DNA–protein interactions

   Topologically interlocked minicircle DNAs—including rotaxanes and catenanes—are used to investigate DNA topology, restriction-enzyme reactions, topoisomerases and inhibitor action.

   DOI ↗

DNA nanotechnology

1. 03

   Programmable DNA origami and higher-order assembly

   Design and construction of two- and three-dimensional DNA nanostructures, addressable nano-bio scaffolds and larger assemblies formed from DNA-origami building blocks.

   DOI ↗
2. 04

   Ligation, stabilization and molecular imaging

   Enzymatic and chemical ligation strategies improve structural integrity and resistance to heat, nucleases and cell lysate. High-speed AFM supports single-molecule observation of assembly and biomolecular processes.

   DOI ↗
3. 05

   NanoBio platforms

   DNA scaffolds organize enzymes and functional components for cascade reactions, biomolecular sensing, drug screening and delivery-oriented research.

   DOI ↗

Functional nanomaterials

1. 06

   Organic nanomaterials

   Molecularly designed soft and carbon-based systems for photochemistry, molecular recognition and bio-related function.

   Articles ↗
2. 07

   Inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials

   Nanoparticles, layered heterostructures and defect-engineered catalytic materials for energy conversion, biological applications and sustainable chemistry.

   DOI ↗
3. 08

   Carbon-negative science

   Photoelectrochemical and catalytic approaches to CO₂ reduction, fuel formation and value-added chemical production.

   Projects ↗