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September 8, 2026
The Southern California Section of the American Chemical Society (SCALACS)
and Glendale High School Jointly Present an In Person Seminar
by
Professor Jillian Blatti
Department of Chemistry, Pasadena City College
Date: September 8, 2026 at 11:00 am
Venue: Glendale High School, 1440 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
Title: Beyond the Double Helix: The Chemistry of Nucleic Acids and the Amazing World of DNA Nanotechnology
Abstract
What if DNA could do more than store the instructions for life? What if we could use it to build microscopic machines, create molecular artwork, make tiny sensors, deliver medicines, and even construct materials thousands of times smaller than the width of a human hair? In this talk, we will explore DNA and RNA from a chemist’s perspective, beginning with the molecular building blocks that make up nucleic acids and the chemical interactions that allow DNA to form its iconic double helix. We will discover how molecular structure, hydrogen bonding, charge, and base-pairing allow DNA to store and transmit information, and how RNA helps transform that information into the molecules that make life possible. We will explore the rapidly growing field of DNA nanotechnology, where scientists treat DNA as a programmable molecular building material. Because the sequences A, T, G, and C recognize one another in predictable ways, researchers can design DNA strands that spontaneously self-assemble into nanoscale shapes, DNA origami, molecular machines, sensors, catalysts, and even liquid-like DNA droplets. These remarkable structures are inspiring new approaches to medicine, diagnostics, computing, advanced materials, and synthetic biology. Along the way, we will see some of the coolest structures scientists have created from DNA—from smiley faces and molecular artwork to nanorobots and programmable materials—and discover how the same fundamental chemistry taught in the classroom can be used to engineer matter at the molecular scale. Ultimately, this talk invites students to see DNA in an entirely new way: not simply as the code of life, but as a molecule we can understand, program, and use to build the technologies of the future.
Bio
Jillian L. Blatti, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Pasadena City College (PCC), where she teaches General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General/Organic/Biochemistry, and Environmental Science. She leads an undergraduate research group through the early Career Undergraduate Research Experience program at PCC, and her research focuses on bio/chemistry and environmental education, DNA nanotechnology, and the development of innovative educational activities that promote equity in science and contribute to diversity in the STEM workforce. She leads the ‘Nanostars’ undergraduate research program at PCC in collaboration with Caltech, UCLA, and UCSB that centers on the development of novel nucleic acid-based manufacturing technologies to fabricate materials of the future; Jillian leads the education and workforce development aspect of this effort. This includes training a diverse future STEM workforce with relevant skills and character traits for success in careers pertaining to science and education. Jillian was part of the algae biotechnology community as a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego, where her research aimed to engineer fatty acid biosynthesis in microalgae toward sustainable bioenergy; this is also where Jillian began her outreach program for underrepresented students focused on modern science and technology, which has evolved significantly throughout her time at PCC. Along with her research group, she has developed engaging laboratory activities regarding systems thinking and sustainability science, engineering algae and synthesizing algae biodiesel, making natural artistic paints and other endeavors at the art-science interface, and DNA nanotechnology [DNA origami, DNA condensates]; these laboratory activities are implemented in her courses at PCC and in science outreach to K-12 schools and underrepresented communities. Outside of science, her interests include music composition and performance, creating nanoart, exploring Nature, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and hanging out with her family and Bengal cat.
RSVP: kkallury@gmail.com or ETahmassian@gusd.net
This event is funded by an LSCA-IPG Grant to SCALACS.