معرفی
Erik Benson is an Assistant Professor at Karolinska Institutet and a SciLifeLab Fellow leading a research group focused on DNA nanotechnology. His work integrates computational design with evolutionary selection to develop functional nucleic acid structures for biomedical applications, including therapeutic delivery and molecular diagnostics.
His research centers on evolving DNA/RNA sequences through high-throughput simulation and in vitro selection to optimize binding, tissue penetration, and cellular uptake. Key projects include DNA molecular printers for precise nano-patterning, reconfigurable nanodevices, and wireframe structures for enhanced drug delivery. The lab bridges biophysics, bioengineering, and computational biology to address challenges in nanomedicine.
Recent publications demonstrate leadership in DNA nanostructure design, with breakthroughs in 2D/3D assembly, simulation methods (oxDNA), and therapeutic applications published in Science Robotics, ACS Nano, and Advanced Materials. The work emphasizes computational refinement coupled with experimental validation to advance functional nanodevices.
He has received the following honor:
- SciLifeLab Fellow
Benson advises multiple PhD and Master’s students and leads the 5-year EU-funded VOLUMINEX project (EIC Pathfinder Open grant) starting March 2025. This consortium with 5 European partners develops methods for 3D transcript mapping in tissues through sequencing and network reconstruction, securing major research funding for nanotechnology applications.
His lab at Karolinska Institutet comprises PhD students Lisa Eichhorn and Jakub Palacka, postdoc Anjali Rajwar, and research assistant Johanna Rhodin. The team actively recruits Master’s students and postdocs for projects in DNA nanotechnology, with former members including Sandra Ly, Aakash Prakash, and Julia Dahl.
