13 Bioinspired organic chemistry

Abstract

The interface between chemistry and biology has been the subject of intense activity for many years and is becoming increasingly blurred. As biological processes are understood in molecular terms they enter the domain that is perhaps more accurately described as chemistry, and provide inspiration for creating new molecular systems as well as reinforcing the long standing challenge to reproduce similar processes through de novo designs. This article reviews the literature from 2002 in areas that are inspired by the form, function or methods found in biological systems. Form considers efforts to achieve the complex but well defined structures prevalent in biology. Function takes into account systems designed to mimic biological processes, either conceptually or biomimetically. Long standing targets have been mimics of biological catalysis and recognition, but other aspects are also emerging, such as molecular motors and supramolecular signalling systems. Methods represents efforts to use biological insights to take a new approach to a problem, which do not revolve around specific rational design processes, but depend on selection and evolution to achieve the desired form or function; here, biology inspires the experimental design.