Issue 39, 2020

The evolution of molecular machines through interfacial nanoarchitectonics: from toys to tools

Abstract

Molecular machines are often regarded as molecular artworks and sometimes as fancy molecular toys. However, many researchers strive to operate molecular machines as useful tools for realistic practical applications. In this perspective article, shifting the working environment of molecular machines from solution to interfacial media is discussed from the viewpoint of their evolution from scientific toys to useful tools. Following a short description of traditional research into molecular machines in solution and their nanotechnological manipulation on clean solid surfaces, pioneering research into molecular machine operation at dynamic interfaces, such as liquid surfaces, is discussed, along with cutting-edge research into molecular machine functions in living cells and their models. Biomolecular machines within organisms are the products of evolution over billions of years. We may nanoarchitect such sophisticated functional systems with artificial molecular machines within much shorter periods.

Graphical abstract: The evolution of molecular machines through interfacial nanoarchitectonics: from toys to tools

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
06 jun 2020
Accepted
07 jul 2020
First published
08 jul 2020
This article is Open Access

All publication charges for this article have been paid for by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Sci., 2020,11, 10594-10604

The evolution of molecular machines through interfacial nanoarchitectonics: from toys to tools

K. Ariga, Chem. Sci., 2020, 11, 10594 DOI: 10.1039/D0SC03164J

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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