Our group focusses on using DNA as a material to design and build synthetic nanostructures and functionalizing them for different applications. We currently work on developing strategies to enhance the biostability of DNA nanostructures so that they can survive in physiological conditions (for example, withstand degradation by nucleases), to attach drug molecules at specific sites of the nanostructure (eg: click chemistry) and to release drugs by external stimuli (eg: biological stimuli such as other nucleic acids or physical stimuli such as light). Working with biological and clinical collaborators, we are currently developing DNA nanostructures that can act as drug delivery platforms. We are also interested in rationally designing DNA motifs that can assemble into 3D DNA crystals. These crystals will contain cavities that can accommodate other guest molecules, acting as a scaffold for X-ray based structure determination. Some of our other interests are in designing DNA devices that can perform logic operations and act as short-term information storage devices.
Madhanagopal Barathraj
Research Scientist
mbarathraj [at] albany.edu
PhD, Biology, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, India.
MTech, Nanoscience, University of Madras, Chennai, India.
SARAH YOUSSEF
Postdoctoral Associate
syoussef [at] albany.edu
PhD, Nanoscience, iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark.
MS, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Hannah talbot
PhD Student, Biological Sciences
htalbot [at] albany.edu
BS, Biochemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.
MENGYAO ZHENG
PhD Student, Nanobioscience
mzheng4 [at] albany.edu
BS, Biology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.
LAUREN ANDERSON
Research Support Specialist
laanderson [at] albany.edu
BS, Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA.
SHUBHAJIT SINGHA
PhD Student, Chemistry
(co-advised with Mehmet Yigit)
ssingha [at] albany.edu
MS, Chemistry, National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, India.
BS, Chemistry, Krishnath College, Berhampore, India.
Gwenyth Gallagher
Undergraduate Researcher
ggallagher [at] albany.edu
Chemistry, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. Class of 2026.
Heer Kukreja
Undergraduate Researcher
hkukreja [a] albany.edu
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. Class of 2029.
MORI Reichenbach
Undergraduate Researcher
mreichenbach [at] albany.edu
Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. Class of 2029.
Ghazala Zamani
Undergraduate Researcher
gzamani [at] albany.edu
Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY, USA. Class of 2027.
ANNA KARPEN
Undergraduate Researcher
akarpen [at] albany.edu
AS, Biological Sciences, Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY, USA.
Sophia Ryan
Masters Student, Biological Sciences
sryan5 [at] albany.edu
BA, Biology/Education, The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY, USA.
Alumni
Akul Patel, Research Associate.
Arlin Rodriguez, Research Associate | Current: Quality Control Specialist, Eurofins PSS Insourcing Solutions.
Johnsi Mathivanan, Postdoctoral Associate | Current: Research Scientist, Curia Global Inc.
Ché-Doni Platt, Research Associate | Current: MD student, Howard Medical School.
Leah Punnoose, Undergraduate researcher | Current: Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant, Fischer and Jacob Family Dentistry.
Abigail Tsuji, Undergraduate researcher | Current: MD candidate at SUNY Upstate Medical University.
Mireylin Cordones, Undergraduate researcher.
Sabrina Chen, Undergraduate researcher.
Hiba Faheem, Undergraduate researcher | Current: Process Sciences Scientist III at Eurofins Scientific.
Leann Nicholas, Undergraduate researcher | Current: MD candidate at SUNY Upstate Medical University.