[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fYiCt3ReQGg_F0376WBEyyHl7eWg2pvVLrsr8K_mStqc":3,"$fSDA30L4VbG7at1-Jfrg20yG6OUzzOa-eJGXVagXwfpQ":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"bio_jsonld":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},179093,"Paul Rothemund","P",5,null,"paul-rothemund",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":74},[14,27,40,51,62],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":9},2352522,"It self-assembles completely. It's all designed in the computer and then it's hands off.",4,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22],{"id":23,"tag":24},5334584,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},856,"computer",{"id":28,"quote_text":29,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":30,"author":31,"source":32,"quote_tag":33,"commentary":39},2352509,"Another virtue of my experiments is that I use the same long single strand over and over again (the natural virus sequence) and I just change the ∼200 short staple strands. This means I don't have to do a custom long synthesis every time I want to make a new structure.",true,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[34],{"id":35,"tag":36},5334563,{"id":37,"tag_name":38},4044,"again","**The Backstory**\nPaul Rothemund, a renowned researcher in DNA self-assembly, coined these words likely during his work at Caltech in the late 1990s and early 2000s. At that time, he was developing innovative methods for creating complex structures using DNA's unique properties. His experiments aimed to push the boundaries of what could be achieved with synthetic biology.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nWhat lies beneath this seemingly innocuous statement is a profound insight into the nature of innovation and problem-solving. Rothemund subtly highlights the value of iterative experimentation, where small, manageable changes can lead to significant breakthroughs without requiring an entirely new approach or substantial resources each time.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, focus on leveraging incremental improvements in your work rather than seeking a complete overhaul each time you face a challenge. By making targeted adjustments and iterating upon existing solutions, you can accelerate progress and achieve more with less effort and resources.",{"id":41,"quote_text":42,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":43,"source":44,"quote_tag":45,"commentary":9},2352494,"Even by the time I was making smiley faces, I didn't really believe that the method worked as well as it did.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[46],{"id":47,"tag":48},5334549,{"id":49,"tag_name":50},2955,"believe",{"id":52,"quote_text":53,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":54,"source":55,"quote_tag":56,"commentary":9},2352470,"We take that very long strand of DNA -- it's about 7,000 letters long -- and we add to it about 200 short DNA strands that I call staples.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[57],{"id":58,"tag":59},5334536,{"id":60,"tag_name":61},9093,"add",{"id":63,"quote_text":64,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":65,"source":66,"quote_tag":67,"commentary":73},2352461,"We actually fold the DNA into any shape that we want. So in the case of the smiley faces that I made, I actually fold the DNA into a disk, but then leave two holes for the eyes and the mouth.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[68],{"id":69,"tag":70},5334526,{"id":71,"tag_name":72},11592,"case","**The Backstory**\n\nPaul Rothemund, a pioneer in DNA nanotechnology, likely shared these words during an interview or lecture in the early 2000s when his work on creating patterns and shapes using DNA was gaining attention. This era marked a significant milestone in the field of molecular self-assembly, where scientists began exploring the potential of DNA as a programmable material for constructing complex structures.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\n\nWhat's striking about Rothemund's statement is that it reveals an unconventional understanding of creativity. He doesn't merely \"design\" smiley faces; instead, he deliberately manipulates and \"folds\" the very fabric of DNA to achieve his desired outcome. This approach highlights a tension between traditional notions of artistic expression and the emerging field of molecular engineering.\n\n**How to Use This**\n\nTo apply this mindset today, consider approaching your creative endeavors not as a matter of inspiration, but rather as a process of deliberate manipulation. Instead of waiting for ideas to strike, actively shape and mold the raw materials at your disposal—whether they're pixels on a screen or molecules in a lab—to bring forth innovative solutions.",{"currentPage":75,"totalPages":75,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":76},1,10]