Damien Woods

Professor Damien Woods is a faculty member at Maynooth University's Faculty of Science & Engineering, specifically affiliated with the Department of Computer Science and the Hamilton Institute. He leads groundbreaking research in DNA computing, molecular programming, and optical computing, focusing on self-assembly, algorithmic design, and computational complexity.

• ERC Consolidator Grant: 'Computationally Active DNA Nanostructures'
• SFI ERC Support Award
• EIC Pathfinder Challenge Grant: 'DISCO - DNA Infrastructure for Storage and Computation'

His research projects explore programmable DNA storage, molecular robotics, and robust self-assembly systems. Recent publications span diverse topics like algorithmic DNA tile assembly, thermodynamic stability, and computational universality in nanosystems. Awards include ERC and SFI grants, with a focus on bridging theoretical computer science and experimental molecular biology.

Scientific Contributions include:

• 2022: 'Turning Machines' - Molecular Robotics
• 2019: 'Diverse Molecular Algorithms' in Nature
• 2017: 'A Cargo-Sorting DNA Robot' in Science