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website contera

Prof Sonia Antoranz Contera

Professor of Biological Physics

Sub department

  • Condensed Matter Physics
Sonia.AntoranzContera@physics.ox.ac.uk
Telephone: 01865 (2)72269
Clarendon Laboratory, room 208
  • About
  • Publications
Conversation on physics bioinspired materials and the future of architecture
link to video of conversation with architect Amanda Levete on biophysics and the future of architecture

Reconfigurable T‐junction DNA origami

Angewandte Chemie International Edition Wiley 59:37 (2020) 15942-15946

Authors:

Katherine Young, Behnam Najafi, William Sant, Sonia Contera, Ard Louis, Jonathan Doye, Andrew Turberfield, Jonathan Bath

Abstract:

DNA self‐assembly allows the construction of nanometre‐scale structures and devices. Structures with thousands of unique components are routinely assembled in good yield. Experimental progress has been rapid, based largely on empirical design rules. Here we demonstrate a DNA origami technique designed as a model system with which to explore the mechanism of assembly. The origami fold is controlled through single‐stranded loops embedded in a double‐stranded DNA template and is programmed by a set of double‐stranded linkers that specify pairwise interactions between loop sequences. Assembly is via T‐junctions formed by hybridization of single‐stranded overhangs on the linkers with the loops. The sequence of loops on the template and the set of interaction rules embodied in the linkers can be reconfigured with ease. We show that a set of just two interaction rules can be used to assemble simple T‐junction origami motifs and that assembly can be performed at room temperature.
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Correction to 'Bioelectrical understanding and engineering of cell biology'.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface 17:167 (2020) ARTN 20200435

Authors:

Zoe Schofield, Gabriel N Meloni, Peter Tran, Christian Zerfass, Giovanni Sena, Yoshikatsu Hayashi, Murray Grant, Sonia A Contera, Shelley D Minteer, Minsu Kim, Arthur Prindle, Paulo RF Rocha, Mustafa BA Djamgoz, Teuta Pilizota, Patrick R Unwin, Munehiro Asally, Orkun S Soyer
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Reconfigurable T‐junction DNA origami

Angewandte Chemie Wiley (2020) ange.202006281

Authors:

Katherine Young, Behnam Najafi, William Sant, Sonia Contera, Ard Louis, Jonathan Doye, Andrew Turberfield, Jonathan Bath
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Bioelectrical understanding and engineering of cell biology

Journal of The Royal Society Interface The Royal Society 17:166 (2020) 20200013

Authors:

Zoe Schofield, Gabriel N Meloni, Peter Tran, Christian Zerfass, Giovanni Sena, Yoshikatsu Hayashi, Murray Grant, Sonia A Contera, Shelley D Minteer, Minsu Kim, Arthur Prindle, Paulo Rocha, Mustafa BA Djamgoz, Teuta Pilizota, Patrick R Unwin, Munehiro Asally, Orkun S Soyer

Abstract:

The last five decades of molecular and systems biology research have provided unprecedented insights into the molecular and genetic basis of many cellular processes. Despite these insights, however, it is arguable that there is still only limited predictive understanding of cell behaviours. In particular, the basis of heterogeneity in single-cell behaviour and the initiation of many different metabolic, transcriptional or mechanical responses to environmental stimuli remain largely unexplained. To go beyond the status quo, the understanding of cell behaviours emerging from molecular genetics must be complemented with physical and physiological ones, focusing on the intracellular and extracellular conditions within and around cells. Here, we argue that such a combination of genetics, physics and physiology can be grounded on a bioelectrical conceptualization of cells. We motivate the reasoning behind such a proposal and describe examples where a bioelectrical view has been shown to, or can, provide predictive biological understanding. In addition, we discuss how this view opens up novel ways to control cell behaviours by electrical and electrochemical means, setting the stage for the emergence of bioelectrical engineering.
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Biophysical characterization of DNA origami nanostructures reveals inaccessibility to intercalation binding sites

Nanotechnology IOP Publishing 31 (2020) 23

Authors:

Helen Miller, Sonia Antoranz Contera, Adam Wollman, Adam Hirst, Katherine Elizabeth Dunn, Sandra Schroeter, Deborah O'Connell, Mark Leake

Abstract:

Intercalation of drug molecules into synthetic DNA nanostructures formed through self-assembled origami has been postulated as a valuable future method for targeted drug delivery. This is due to the excellent biocompatibility of synthetic DNA nanostructures, and high potential for flexible programmability including facile drug release into or near to target cells. Such favourable properties may enable high initial loading and efficient release for a predictable number of drug molecules per nanostructure carrier, important for efficient delivery of safe and effective drug doses to minimise non-specific release away from target cells. However, basic questions remain as to how intercalation-mediated loading depends on the DNA carrier structure. Here we use the interaction of dyes YOYO-1 and acridine orange with a tightly-packed 2D DNA origami tile as a simple model system to investigate intercalation-mediated loading. We employed multiple biophysical techniques including single-molecule fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy, gel electrophoresis and controllable damage using low temperature plasma on synthetic DNA origami samples. Our results indicate that not all potential DNA binding sites are accessible for dye intercalation, which has implications for future DNA nanostructures designed for targeted drug delivery.
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