1:30 p.m.   -   Welcome.

 

Professor Marc A. Walters,   2008 Chair, ACS New York Section, New York University

1:35 p.m.           Opening of the Distinguished Symposium.

Professor Barbara R. Hillery,   2008 Chair-Elect, ACS New York Section, SUNY - Old Westbury

1:45 p.m.           Designer DNA Architectures for Nanobiotechnology.

Professor Hao Yan,  Arizona State University

In recent years, structural DNA nanotechnology has fulfilled its promise for self-assembling both periodic and complex nanostructures. One of the original goals of this technology was to use self-assembled DNA nanostructures as designer scaffolds for directed molecular assembly. In this talk I will present our recent efforts in DNA directed self-assembly of protein and metallic nanoparticle nanoarrarys, as well as the use of self-assembling DNA nanoarrays for biosensing applications.

2:30 p.m.           DNA Nanostructures: All Stars.

Professor Chengde Mao,    Purdue University

Structural control at the nanometer scale is key to the development of nanotechnology. Supramolecular self-assembly is one promising approach to achieve this goal. Among many self-assembly molecular systems, DNA stands out as one of the best choices. Because DNA is the universal genetic materials, its structure and physical/chemical properties have been extensively studied, and a rich array of manipulation tools have been developed. DNA has excellent molecular recognition capability. Its structure can be precisely predicted. And branched DNA motifs have also been constructed. Combining all these factors together, DNA-based nanostructures have been rapidly developed. Here, the discussion focuses on the recent development of DNA nanostructures in my group, particularly on the self-assembly of DNA stars, which is a family of DNA nanomotifs.

3:15 p.m.           Coffee Break

3:45 p.m.           Programming a DNA World.

Professor Eric Winfree,   California Institute of Technology

Biological organisms are a beautiful example of programming. The program and data are stored in biological molecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins; the algorithms are carried out by molecular and biochemical processes; and the end result is the creation and function of an organism. If we understood how to program biomolecular systems, what could we create? DNA nanotechnology provides fertile ground for exploring this notion. It has given us DNA molecules that self-assemble precisely, that fold into complex nanoscale objects, that act as mechanical actuators and molecular motors, and that make decisions based on digital and analog logic. These DNA devices appear to be the building blocks for creating ever more sophisticated programmable molecular systems, with potential applications in synthetic chemistry, nanotechnology, and biotechnology. But how can we take the DNA devices and put them together into integrated systems that carry out desired functions? This requires abstractions for specifying system behavior and compilers for automatically designing the required DNA sequences. I will describe our initial efforts developing abstractions and compilers for programming DNA self-assembly and DNA logic circuits.

4:30 p.m.           Using DNA Information for Structural Control.

Professor Nadrian C. Seeman,    New York University

Nichols Medalist

DNA is a naturally-occurring molecule that contains information. It is well-known that Nature uses double helical DNA to encrypt genetic instructions in a linear molecule. We have found that it is possible to design synthetic DNA molecules that form stable branched species. When combined with cohesive single-stranded units, these molecules can be used to self-assemble multiply-connected objects and lattices, as well as nanomechanical devices. Such constructs offer the potential for organizing biological macromolecules, for scaffolding nanoelectronic components, and for controlling the sequence and topology of other polymers, in addition to laying the groundwork for programmable nano-robotics. In the time since the notion of a structurally oriented DNA-based nanotechnology was introduced in the early 1980s, we have designed and constructed polyhedral catenanes, 1D, 2D and 3D periodic arrays, and a number of nanomechanical devices. Many of these advances depended critically upon the development of robust motifs. We are now at a subsequent stage of developing structural DNA nanotechnology, one that entails the combination of these components and others for specific applications. Thus, programmable nano-devices and structural components have been combined to produce a walker, a translation machine and a pattern-generating nanomechanical system. In a similar vein, other chemical species have been incorporated into DNA constructs. The most important development of the past decade is that many laboratories around the world are now contributing new developments to the area, leading to the increasingly rapid growth of DNA nanotechnology.

MEDAL AWARD CEREMONY AND DINNER

           5:45 p.m.            Social Hour

           6:45 p.m.            Medal Award Dinner

                                       Presiding:                                        Professor. Marc A. Walters

                                                                                               Chair, ACS New York Section

                                       A.C.S. Greetings:                           Professor Bruce E. Bursten

                                                                                               President, American Chemical Society

                                       Introductory Address:                    Professor James W. Canary

                                                                                               New York University

                                       Presentation of the Medal:              Professor Marc A. Walters

                                                                                               Chair, ACS New York Section

                                       Acceptance Address:                     Professor Nadrian Seeman

                                                                                               Nichols Medalist