Paul Paukstelis

Paul Paukstelis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, College Park, and serves as Director of the Biochemistry Graduate Program. His research focuses on nucleic acid structure, DNA nanotechnology, and the development of novel DNA-based materials.

• Education: BS Biology (University of Kansas, 1997); PhD Molecular Biology (University of Texas at Austin, 2005)
• Postdoctoral Research: University of Texas at Austin (2005–2009)

His research interests include extending DNA's structural boundaries beyond Watson-Crick pairing through x-ray crystallography and biophysical methods. Key projects involve designing pH-responsive DNA crystals, discovering new DNA motifs (e.g., C-tetrad G-quadruplexes, parallel-stranded tetraplexes), and engineering DNA crystals with embedded enzymes for biocatalytic applications. These advancements bridge biology, materials science, and engineering.

His work has led to breakthroughs such as solvent-channel DNA crystals capable of size-selective macromolecule encapsulation and the first functional solid-state biocatalysts using DNA matrices.

Lab activities emphasize rational design of DNA architectures for nanotechnology, with a focus on structural predictability and functional applications.