Nanotechnology Research

I work in a lab in university that experiments with DNA as a building material.
We focus on the following:

a) Make DNA nanoconstructions that are more robust with respect to temperature, pH and metal ion concentration -
allowing them to be used in a wider range of environments

b) Enable orthogonal chemical and physical stimuli to activate and deactivate DNA sequence-controlled switches -
enabling greater control of the design and operation of these systems

c) Develop systems that allow the control of multiple DNA switches without the addition of external reagents -
enabling the use of these switches in multiplexed self-contained sensing environments

d) Develop mesoscale DNA constructions that act as sensors

So far, the lab as created nanoswitches from DNA, controlled by shining light on it.
http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/CC/C1CC10292C

How do you monitor the effects and unintended side effects of activating a switch?

the switches don't actually do anything, they just change DNA structure

these experiments are done on pure solutions of DNA, in a controlled chemical setting
its not switching genes on in terms of gene expression, its using DNA as a building material to make swithces for use in
nanoscale circuit boards and machinery

Nice! I've been considering taking a career in nanotechnology myself.

So this can be considered as biological technology?

Biochem tech yes

Can't wait till the day I can have a head's up display to remind me of errands and info for tests...