Conference Tracks
DNA Nanostructures
Track Chair: Hao Yan, ASU Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
This track focuses on the design, assembly, and characterization of structural DNA nanotechnology. Topics include DNA origami, tiles, bricks, wireframe and lattice architectures, higher-order assemblies, and crystalline materials. Work that extends DNA structural design with alternative nucleic acids or hybrid materials is very welcome. Structural innovation, fabrication methods, and emerging applications are also central themes.
RNA Nanostructures
Track Chair: Ebbe S. Andersen, iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark
RNA provides unique structural, dynamic, and functional properties for nanoscale engineering. This track highlights RNA-based architectures, including RNA origami, RNA tiles, hybrid DNA–RNA systems, and functional RNA motifs. Contributions may involve design principles, folding and stability analysis, in vitro or in vivo applications, and the integration of RNA structures with biological or chemical functionality.
Protein Nanostructures
Track Chair: Alena Khmelinskaia, Faculty for Chemistry and Pharmacy, LMU Munich, Germany
This track explores natural and engineered protein-based nanoscale assemblies, such as protein cages, virus-like particles, multimeric scaffolds, and de novo designed proteins. Emphasis is placed on structure-driven function, hybrid protein–material systems, confined catalytic systems, molecular encapsulation, and bio-inspired design. Approaches spanning synthetic biology, chemical biology, theory, and computation are encouraged.
In Vivo and Biomedical Nanotechnology
Track Chair: Baoquan Ding, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing, China
This track covers nucleic acid and biomolecular nanodevices designed to operate in complex biological environments, including living cells and organisms. Topics include delivery technologies, therapeutics, biosensing, immune modulation, in vivo imaging, and translational strategies. Research enabling cellular interfacing, biological stability, targeting, and clinical relevance is central to the track’s mission.
Nanophotonics & Superresolution
Track Chair: Philip Tinnefeld, Department of Chemistry, LMU Munich, Germany
This track focuses on optical phenomena and light–matter interactions at the nanoscale. Areas include single-molecule spectroscopy, plasmonics, photonic metamaterials, DNA-based photonic devices, and advanced fluorescence methodologies. Superresolution imaging technologies, instrument development, and applications in biology and nanotechnology are also welcome.
Chemical and Synthetic Biology
Track Chair: Elisa Franco, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering & Bioengineering, UCLA, USA
This track features chemical tools and synthetic biology approaches that expand the functional capabilities of biomolecular nanotechnology. Topics include chemically modified nucleic acids, enzymatic and non-enzymatic assembly methods, regulatory circuits, re-engineered biological pathways, orthogonal molecular components, and artificial systems inspired by natural biology. The track bridges chemistry, molecular engineering, and biological programming.
Molecular Machinery
Track Chair: Carlos Castro, Dept. of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University, USA
This track showcases natural and synthetic nanoscale machines that perform mechanical, catalytic, or informational tasks. Submissions may involve conformationally dynamic DNA or RNA devices, motor proteins, switchable molecular systems, robotic assemblies, and load-bearing nanoscale mechanisms. Emphasis is placed on design, actuation, energetics, modeling, and the creation of responsive or autonomous devices.
DNA Nanosystems: Programmed Function
Track Chair: Friedrich Simmel, Dept. of Physics, Technical University of Munich, Germany
This track centers on functional behaviors emerging from spatial organization on biomolecular nanostructures. Examples include catalytic enhancement via co-localization, logical computation, dynamic reconfiguration, sensing and actuation, and molecular robotics. Contributions may span chemical, mechanical, computational, and biological functions enabled by programmable nucleic acid systems.
Theory and Computational Tools for Nanotechnology
Track Chair: William Shih, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, USA
This combined track includes both theoretical frameworks and computational tools for the design, prediction, and analysis of self-assembled systems. Areas include thermodynamic and kinetic modeling, multiscale simulations, algorithmic self-assembly theory, CAD tools for nucleic acids and proteins, visualization platforms, and machine-learning approaches. Strong emphasis is placed on models and tools that are validated experimentally or that guide experimental innovation.