Location
Havener Center, Miner Lounge / Wiese Atrium, 1:30pm-3:30pm
Start Date
4-1-2026 1:30 PM
End Date
4-1-2026 3:30 PM
Presentation Date
April 1, 2026; 1:30pm-3:30pm
Description
DNA nanostructures have garnered increasing interest in their application as drug delivery vehicles. However, DNA is susceptible to degradation under physiological conditions. To remedy this, we have devised a novel method to coat DNA nanostructures with the polysaccharide chitosan (a natural derivative of chitin). Chitosan binds to DNA electrostatically and inhibits nuclease activity that would normally degrade DNA in a physiological environment. We used both agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the stability of DNA before and after immersion in a simulated biological environment. Physiological conditions were mimicked by incubating the DNA in cell culture media with gentle rotation at 37 ℃. Our results showed that chitosan-coated DNA nanostructures are more stable in the physiological environment than uncoated structures alone.
Biography
Ethan Keuhn:
I am a senior studying biological sciences who has recently been accepted into the MU School of Medicine. My undergraduate research experience began my junior year after I switched my life goal from engineering to medicine. Dr. Wang’s lab captivated me with the opportunity to conduct chemistry-related research in biological systems. The laboratory environment was foreign to me (being recently transplanted from the world of chemical engineering). The technical and professional skills I honed from the lab setting assisted in my acceptance into the MU School of Medicine. I spend my breaks from school working as an EMT and enjoying the outdoors.
Milan Jebaraj”
Milan Jebaraj is a Biomedical Engineering student and Kummer Vanguard Scholar at Missouri University of Science and Technology. An Honors Academy member with junior-level standing, Jebaraj focuses on the fabrication of DNA-based biosensors and investigating DNA origami stability via AFM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Previously, at the SIU School of Medicine, they gained experience in immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy for pituitary gland studies. With certifications in animal biosafety and rodent surgery, Jebaraj combines technical precision with engineering principles. They aim to leverage these interdisciplinary skills to contribute to the development of next-generation diagnostic and biotechnological tools.
Meeting Name
2026 - Miners Solving for Tomorrow Research Conference
Department(s)
Biological Sciences
Second Department
Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Third Department
Chemistry
Document Type
Poster
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
event
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2026 The Authors, All rights reserved
Included in
Biology Commons, Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering Commons, Organic Chemistry Commons
The stability study of DNA-polymer hybrids for nanotechnology applications
Havener Center, Miner Lounge / Wiese Atrium, 1:30pm-3:30pm
DNA nanostructures have garnered increasing interest in their application as drug delivery vehicles. However, DNA is susceptible to degradation under physiological conditions. To remedy this, we have devised a novel method to coat DNA nanostructures with the polysaccharide chitosan (a natural derivative of chitin). Chitosan binds to DNA electrostatically and inhibits nuclease activity that would normally degrade DNA in a physiological environment. We used both agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to determine the stability of DNA before and after immersion in a simulated biological environment. Physiological conditions were mimicked by incubating the DNA in cell culture media with gentle rotation at 37 ℃. Our results showed that chitosan-coated DNA nanostructures are more stable in the physiological environment than uncoated structures alone.
Comments
Advisor: Risheng Wang, wangri@mst.edu