Faculty

Erik Winfree

Professor of Computer Science, Computation and Neural Systems, and Bioengineering

Degrees and Appointments

B.S., University of Chicago, 1991; Ph.D., Caltech, 1998. Assistant Professor, 1999-2006; Associate Professor of Computer Science and Computation and Neural Systems, 2006-07; Associate Professor, 2007-10; Professor, 2010-.

Research Overview

Professor Winfree's research involves theoretical and experimental aspects of molecular programming. Models of computation are developed that incorporate essential features of molecular folding, molecular self-assembly, biochemical circuits, and molecular robotics. These models are studied to determine their expressiveness for programming molecular-level tasks including decision-making, memory, behavior, and morphogenesis.  Methods for compiling abstract molecular programs into actual molecules are developed and tested in the laboratory.

List of Research Areas

molecular programming, DNA nanotechnology, DNA computing, cell-free biochemical circuits, nucleic acid systems, biophysics, complexity theory, programming languages and compilers, evolutionary systems

EAS News about Erik Winfree

Undergraduate Students Win International Data Science Competition »

Computer Scientists Create Reprogrammable Molecular Computing System »

Professor Winfree Elected to American Association for the Advancement of Science »

Read more news about Erik Winfree »