Paul Rothemund

Paul Rothemund is a Visiting Associate in Computing and Mathematical Sciences and Computation & Neural Systems at the California Institute of Technology. His research focuses on expanding the toolkit of DNA nanotechnology, particularly through the development of DNA origami and its integration into fields like biological engineering and translational research. He is part of the Biology and Biological Engineering divisions and collaborates with the Winfree and Qian labs.

• B.S., Caltech (1994)
• Ph.D., University of Southern California (2001)

Research Interests

Rothemund’s work centers on programmable molecular systems, with a focus on DNA origami for creating nanoscale shapes, RNA nanostructures, and lipid nanodiscs. His lab develops methods for molecular self-assembly, nanophotonic architectures, and single-molecule assays. Key applications include hybrid nanodevices, precision biomolecular placement, and dynamic DNA/RNA systems.

Publication Trends

Over 15 recent articles, Rothemund’s research spans DNA/RNA origami, lipid bilayer engineering, nanoarray fabrication, and biomolecular sensing. Themes include modular design, co-transcriptional folding, and programmable nanoscale materials.

Scientific Recognition

• Beckman Senior Research Fellow (2001-04)
• Bryan R. Coles Prize (2017)

Advising & Collaborations

Rothemund has advised doctoral students and postdocs such as Anya Mitskovets (now at KLA) and Tyler Ross (MIT/Harvard). His lab forms a DNA nanotechnology supergroup and engages in interdisciplinary collaborations.