Molecular Machines

How to engineer at the limits of complexity with molecular-scale parts.

The Molecular Machines group is developing a suite of technologies and chemistries to establish the field of printing functional devices and materials. Our ultimate goal is to build a desktop printer capable of printing a fully functional computer onto a piece of paper or plastic.

Research Projects

GeneFab

Bram Sterling, Kelly Chang, Joseph M. Jacobson, Peter Carr, Brian Chow, David Sun Kong, Michael Oh and Sam Hwang

What would you like to "build with biology"? The goal of the GeneFab projects is to develop technology for the rapid fabrication of large DNA molecules, with composition specified directly by the user. Our intent is to facilitate the field of genetic engineering as it moves from a focus on single genes to designing complete biochemical pathways, genetic networks, and more complex systems. Sub-projects include: DNA error correction, microfluidics for high throughput gene synthesis, and genome-scale engineering (rE. coli).

NanoFab

Jaebum Joo and Joseph M. Jacobson

We are developing techniques to fabricate nanostructures and logic devices using nanoparticulate colloids of metals and semi-conductors as building blocks.