Supramolecular DNA chromophore architectures with optoelectronic function.

Nucleic acids play a central role in the storage and transmission of genetic information. Beyond biology, it is becoming clear that DNA and RNA provide a suitable structural basis to build more complex polymers, networks and architectures. Canonical base pairing gives rise to the programmability of these structures with impressive complexity and size, physicochemical

Stability, high stiffness, and monodispersity. This unique combination of properties is not accessible with conventional organic building blocks. For future functional materials, the hierarchical ordering of supramolecular architectures with well-defined properties will play a crucial role.

In this project, DNA is used as a supramolecular backbone to form hierarchical nanostructures that enable new artificial functions. Specifically, optoelectronic properties are realized to use DNA for light collection, photocatalysis or in solar cells.