This research seeks to develop DNA-based robotic materials that sense forces, communicate signals over long distances, and exhibit phase separating functionalities, which will have applications ranging from nanomanufacturing to medicine. The team will leverage the well-defined geometry and dynamic properties of DNA nanostructures and the programmability of DNA binding interactions. Multi-scale molecular modeling will guide the design of DNA devices with feedback from single molecule characterization. The team will create materials that exhibit collective behaviors driven by local interactions to enhance sensing, signal transmission, and pattern formation behaviors, providing a foundation for complex robotic nanomaterials that operate in aqueous environments.