Research

Current and Continuing Research

The physics of complex DNA-based and algorithmic self-assembly processes.
Pattern-dependence of nucleation of self-assembling structures.
Sequence design for DNA-based molecular computation.

Also, see Constantine Evans' research page.

Recent Publications and Talks

R. Ravasio, K. Husain, C.G. Evans, R. Phillips, M. Ribezzi-Crivellari, J.W. Szostak, A. Murugan. "Evolution of error correction through a need for speed." Science 391, pp. 818–824, 2026.
T. Stérin, A. Eshra, J. Adio, C.G. Evans, D. Woods. "A thermodynamically favoured molecular computer: robust, fast, renewable, scalable." Preprint on bioRxiv, 2025.
C.G. Evans, A. Cervera Roldan, T. Rogers, D. Woods. "Tile blockers as a simple motif to control self-assembly: kinetics and thermodynamics." DNA31, LIPIcs 347, pp. 7:1–7:19, 2025.
R. Ravasio, K. Husain, C.G. Evans, R. Phillips, M. Ribezzi, J.W. Szostak, A. Murugan. "A minimal scenario for the origin of non-equilibrium order." Preprint on arXiv, 2024.
C.G. Evans, J. O'Brien, E. Winfree, A. Murugan. "Pattern recognition in the nucleation kinetics of non-equilibrium self-assembly." Nature 625, pp. 500–507, 2024.
C.G. Evans, D. Doty, D. Woods, Growth dynamics: Precisely controlled self-assembly order of DNA tile nanostructures. at DNA 28.
C.G. Evans, J. O'Brien, E. Winfree, A. Murugan, Pattern recognition in the nucleation kinetics of molecular self-assembly at FNANO 2020. (In-person conference cancelled; online talk available on YouTube.)
C.G. Evans, J. O'Brien, E. Winfree, A. Murugan, Kinetic control of spontaneous nucleation in uniquely-addressed multifarious self-assembly at DNA25, Aug 2019.
C.G. Evans, E. Winfree, Optimizing Tile Set Size While Preserving Proofreading with a DNA Self-assembly Compiler. DNA24, LNCS 11145, pp. 37-54. 2018.
C.G. Evans, E. Winfree. Physical principles for DNA tile self-assembly. Chemical Society Reviews, 46(12), pp. 3808-3829. 2017.

Software packages we maintain/contribute to

stickydesign: a short (sticky end/toehold) DNA sequence design package.
alhambra: a Python package for DNA tile system design.
Xgrow: a kinetic Tile Assembly Model simulator.
rgrow: a modular kinetic Tile Assembly Model simulator for fast, short simulations (prerelease).
riverine: a Python library for creating recipes for multi-component mixes.
kithairon: a Python library for using the Labcyte/Beckman Coulter Echo acoustic liquid handler.
scikits-bootstrap: a Python package for bootstrap statistics.

Past Research Projects

The physics of α-synuclein self-assembly into aggregates, and its impacts on Multiple Systems Atrophy.
Potential links between mitochondrial disorders and Multiple Systems Atrophy (2007-2008, research with Dr. Richard Haas and Dr. Robert Naviaux at UCSD, 2007).
Synthetic construction of designed mitochondrial genomes (2007-2009).
Research with Dr. Clifford Shults at UCSD into potential treatments for Multiple Systems Atrophy, through the Parkinson's Disease Research Fund. (2006)
High-throughput assays of synthesized potential treatments for Multiple Systems Atrophy. (2006-2010)