We are the Rizzuto Group.
We develop Biomolecular Nanotechnology.
Our labs take the building blocks of life - DNA, peptides, lipids, and small molecules - to engineer functional nanotechnologies. We design nanoscale architectures that perform tasks for soft robotics, synthetic biology and human health.
DNA nanomaterials for healthcare devices
DNA is a programmable code that we can use to make complex, multidimensional structures. We are expanding the toolbox of DNA interactions using small molecules, nucleobase modifications, and supramolecular chemistry to build better diagnostic devices.
Polymer structures for soft robotics
New methods that allow us to control polymer assembly provide access to programmable functions and, we hope, biocompatible molecular machinery. Our lab explores the development and synthesis of new DNA-polymer nanostructures by hybridizing natural and artificial monomers.
Temporal chemistry for synthetic biology
Biology is incredibly adept at controlling chemistry though time - think enzymes catalyzing reactions or molecular motion. We are developing new molecular systems that can push nanomaterials away from their equilibrium positions, regulating systems through the time domain of assembly.
Our team
Felix Rizzuto
Group Leader
Rapt by all things science and history, I completed a joint BSc(Hons)/BA at the University of Sydney, Australia in 2014.
Leaving the sunny shores of the southern hemisphere, I undertook a PhD in supramolecular chemistry under the supervision of Prof. Jonathan Nitschke at the University of Cambridge, finishing in 2018.
I then moved to Montreal, where I held a Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship in Prof. Hanadi Sleiman's group at McGill University. As of 2022, I moved to UNSW as an ARC DECRA Felllow, where my group is developing out-of-equilibrium nanotechnologies for polymer and materials synthesis.
Click here to download Felix’s CV
Growing up on Sydney's Northern Beaches, I was always interested in what makes things work, drawing me towards supramolecular chemistry.
Fresh off finishing my MedChem honours at UNSW in 2022, I jumped straight into a PhD in chemistry, being supervised by Dr Felix Rizzuto and Prof. Pall Thordarson.
My research aims to focus on how the development and changes in nucleic acid secondary structures impact supramolecular interactions.
Lachlan Cox
PhD student (joint with Prof. Thordarson)
Originally from the sunny island called Singapore, I moved to Australia to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Advanced Science, with a major in Chemistry, at UNSW.
I am currently doing my Honours year and my research focuses on creating light-activated, dissipative DNA origami systems. In my free time, I enjoy looking for the best coffee spots around Sydney.
Yasmin Hanyz
Honours student
I started my journey in Chemistry completing a Science degree at UNSW, doing a double major with Neuroscience. I am currently completing my Honours in the group, focusing on programming DNA origami polymerisation using light in a non-equilibrium system.
Aside from my project, I am passionate about education in Chemistry, and dedicate much of my time to teaching first years at UNSW. I enjoy playing bridge with my friends and family, reading, board games, cooking, and participating in student life at UNSW.
Natalie Newman
Honours student
Previous members
Luca Thomas
Honours (joint with Prof. Thordarson)
2023
Willi Berg
Masters (ERASMUS)
2023