Self-organization of matter into structured architectures with emerging functionality is arguably the most important phenomenon to enable life. Unfortunately, human efforts to successfully engineer materials that control hierarchical order and achieve precise action in cells, have suffered from structural heterogeneity and limitations in functional precision. Immune pathways are prime examples of cascades where a finely balanced sequence of interactions decides between life-changing outcomes, varying from tolerance to active fight. Immune-modulating materials, therefore, would uniquely benefit from precision control over functionality. DNA-based nanomaterials have the potential to change our current bioengineering standards due to their inherent architectural uniformity and nanometer control of functionalization, allowing for a quantitative analysis of material parameters on cell activation. The goal of this ERC proposal is to use structural geometry of DNA-based materials to provoke controlled intracellular manipulation of immune signaling via the hierarchical and spatial organization of constitutive DNA binding proteins. We create a circular paradox where DNA defines protein synthesis, yet protein function is controlled by self-organization following interaction with designer DNA. Our approach stands out in its controlled-by-nature strategy: 1) we exclusively use materials derived from cellular building blocks; that 2) respond to stimuli generated without artificial intervention, 3) that we quantify using pathway specific activation markers and 4) image via label-free microscopy to track inherent structural changes in physical material properties. We apply our approach on two important signaling pathways involved in immunology: TLR9 as Th1 trigger for vaccine adjuvants and innate cGAS inhibition to fight autoimmunity. Using spatial organization as foundation for geometry-based immune-engineering will revolutionize the design of novel immune-modulating materials.

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are among the most promising next-generation photovoltaic technologies: it combines high photovoltaic performance with low fabrication costs. The practical adoption of PSCs will reduce the levelized cost of electricity of solar energy, contributing to deal with the global crisis on climate change and sustainable development. Despite these promises, the lack of efficient large-area PSCs has so far seriously hindered their commercialization potential, representing one of the most critical challenges in the field of perovskite photovoltaics. The goal of this project is to develop industrial-relevant highly efficient large-area PSCs (> 20% module efficiency at aperture areas of 200-800 cm2). In this project, an interdisciplinary approach will be devised by combining scalable perovskite fabrication, novel interface engineering, and deep mechanistic understanding to achieve this ambitious goal. Particularly a new solution-processing strategy will be developed to control the crystallization of perovskites, which can enable homogenous crystal growth at large-scales, generating uniform perovskite thin films. Novel interface engineering will then be explored to demonstrate thickness-insensitive 2D/3D perovskite passivation, by utilizing high hole-mobility 2D perovskites. Eventually, the new material-processing strategies will be adopted in the standard perovskite module fabrication, attaining record efficiency large-area PSCs. In addition to device fabrication, fundamental investigations based on ultrafast spectroscopy and synchrotron characterization will also be carried out to elucidate the material formation and device operation mechanism. This project combines the host lab`s expertise on PSC fabrication and the researcher`s strong background in material design and synthesis. It is highly relevant to Horizon 2020`s goal on clean and efficient energy, whose completion will support Europe at the forefront of renewable energy research.