Paul W. K. Rothemund
Encyclopedia
Paul W.K. Rothemund is a senior research fellow at the Computation and Neural Systems department at Caltech. He has become known in the fields of DNA nanotechnology
and synthetic biology
for his pioneering work with DNA origami
. Rothemund is a 2007 recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.
Rothemund graduated from Laconia High School, New Hampshire
, in 1990. He was the team captain of the championship Laconia team for the television quiz show Granite State Challenge
. After graduating, Rothemund studied as an undergraduate at Caltech from 1990–1994, where he was a resident of Ricketts House.
As a research fellow at Caltech, Rothemund has developed a technique to manipulate and fold strands of DNA
known as DNA origami
. Eventually, Rothemund hopes this technology could be used to create microscopic organisms with multiple purposes. His work on large-scale sculptures of his DNA origami was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art
in New York
from February 24 to May 12, 2008.
DNA nanotechnology
DNA nanotechnology is a branch of nanotechnology which uses the molecular recognition properties of DNA and other nucleic acids to create designed, artificial structures out of DNA for technological purposes. In this field, DNA is used as a structural material rather than as a carrier of genetic...
and synthetic biology
Synthetic biology
Synthetic biology is a new area of biological research that combines science and engineering. It encompasses a variety of different approaches, methodologies, and disciplines with a variety of definitions...
for his pioneering work with DNA origami
DNA origami
DNA origami is the nanoscale folding of DNA to create arbitrary two and three dimensional shapes at the nanoscale. The specificity of the interactions between complementary base pairs make DNA a useful construction material through design of its base sequences...
. Rothemund is a 2007 recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship.
Rothemund graduated from Laconia High School, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, in 1990. He was the team captain of the championship Laconia team for the television quiz show Granite State Challenge
Granite State Challenge
Granite State Challenge is an American television quizbowl game show that airs on New Hampshire Public Television and began in 1983.-Description:...
. After graduating, Rothemund studied as an undergraduate at Caltech from 1990–1994, where he was a resident of Ricketts House.
As a research fellow at Caltech, Rothemund has developed a technique to manipulate and fold strands of DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
known as DNA origami
DNA origami
DNA origami is the nanoscale folding of DNA to create arbitrary two and three dimensional shapes at the nanoscale. The specificity of the interactions between complementary base pairs make DNA a useful construction material through design of its base sequences...
. Eventually, Rothemund hopes this technology could be used to create microscopic organisms with multiple purposes. His work on large-scale sculptures of his DNA origami was exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art
Museum of Modern Art
The Museum of Modern Art is an art museum in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, on 53rd Street, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. It has been important in developing and collecting modernist art, and is often identified as the most influential museum of modern art in the world...
in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
from February 24 to May 12, 2008.