Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering
504 J. B. Hunt Building
1 University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-6197
Fax: (479)-575-5339
Matthew Patitz Receives CAREER Award to Advance Work on DNA-Self Assembly Systems
University of Arkansas computer scientist Matt Patitz has received a $500,000 Faculty
Early Career Development Program grant - known as a CAREER grant - from the National
Science Foundation. The award enables Patitz, an assistant professor of computer
science and computer engineering to continue developing a suite of software that automates
the design and analysis of DNA-based self-assembling systems. The software modules
will include a variety of molecular simulators that capture the dynamics of DNA-based
self-assembly and will help researchers design, model, and verify the molecular components
of complicated systems before they make expensive investments, in time and money,
for physical experiments.
Self-assembly is a process in which individual, disordered molecules spontaneously
combine into ordered aggregates without human intervention. A variety of self-assembling
systems exist in nature and are responsible for the formation of may inorganic structures,
such as crystals and numerous biological structures, including cellular membranes
and viruses. Inorganic self-assembly systems include snowflakes and other crystals.
Patitz's interdisciplinary research incorporates physics, chemistry, mathematics,
computer science, and biochemical engineering. As part of the project, he will develop
a new interdisciplinary course, Introduction to DNA Nanotechnology, and will host
interdisciplinary workshops for students, as well as experienced researchers.
Faculty Early Career Development Program grants - known as CAREER grants - are among
the National Science Foundations' most prestigious awards for junior faculty. Research
activities supported by CAREER awards build the foundation for a lifetime of leadership
in integrating education and research.