Design Automation Software for Biomimetic Surface Presentation with DNA Origami

A development program is proposed for a design automation software package that enables the generation of complex surfaces, with user defined or automated definition of point charge and hydrophobic/hydrophilic properties, using DNA origami as a presentation substrate. Building upon Parabons existing software for DNA origami design, this project will result in software that can be used to design and optimize DNA origami modifications to achieve target charge and hydration force distributions. The objects to be generated with this software will be able to mimic any of the many surface/surface interactions found in biological or technological applications. Such design software will significantly expand the capabilities of users to produce systems that are capable of highly specific interactions with target macromolecular species. The design software will enable designers to compose designs from well-understood design motifs, and to manipulate designs at varying levels of abstraction, resulting in significant improvements in designer productivity as well as design quality. The software developed under this project will also employ emerging user interface technology to ease the interaction with 3D design objects and to support additional pathways to convey important design information.