Paul Rothemund, a researcher at Caltech, can make just about anything by folding DNA into complicated shapes — as if he were practicing origami.
He uses sophisticated software to examine the stringy molecules, and identify points at which they can be kinked or pinned in place with smaller strands. He mixes those shorter compounds, which he calls staples, with the longer ones, and then they arrange themselves into amazing patterns.
This February, in Monterey, California he gave an amazing talk about those experiments. Today, that lecture became available on the TED conference website. It was not his first time speaking at the legendary gathering.
During his presentation, he showed animations of DNA molecules entangling with one another and forming complex patterns — from smiley faces to counting machines.
As impressive as that may be, Rothemund stressed that his research isn’t about making gadgets.
"What it’s really about is taking computer science, and looking at big questions in a new light," he said. "Trying to understand how biology can make such amazing things."
