Maartje M. C. Bastings

Maartje Bastings is a Dutch materials engineer who specializes in the synthesis of DNA-based supramolecular materials using multivalency as driving force in molecular design and functional performance. She demonstrated multivalent pattern recognition (MPR) as novel concept in multivalent binding, where interactions only take place when ligand and receptors are presented in rigid geometries with limited spatial tolerance. Her goal is to implement MPR as fundamental concept in the assembly of dynamic surfaces, control mechanical properties in soft matter, and explore the extent of conserved patterns in cellular signaling processes. Over the last 10 years, prof. Bastings has emerged as a specialist in bridging supramolecular materials with cell biology, always taking an engineering approach with a focus on biophysical quantification of interactions. Crossing supramolecular materials engineering with biophysics and cell biology creates a research space with the potential to advance the impact of DNA-nanotechnology both as functional material and as bioengineering tool. Besides fundamental insights in interaction-engineering, these materials have the potential to truly become integrated with cellular action to function as precision diagnostics and therapeutics.