Nata拧a Jonoska received $316,700 from a $895,142 grant to USF, Arizona State University, and New York University from the National Science Foundation鈥檚 Foundations of Emerging Technologies program. The research will begin by developing mathematical tools to distinguish molecules based on their 3D shapes and structures. These tools will then be used to create a new programming framework: 鈥渁lgorithmic shape encoding.鈥� Using small DNA tiles as modular pieces in a molecular-scale 3D jigsaw puzzle, the team will construct increasingly complex structures鈥攄rawing inspiration from nature鈥檚 ability to link form and function. The expected outcomes include breakthroughs in self-assembling materials, biocomputing, and optical communication systems.
The NSF鈥檚 FET program supports research exploring new and unconventional models of computing and other technologies. This includes biocomputing and computation with biological systems.