Molecular Nanotechnology for Molecular Robots

Abstract

AbstractTo realize the molecular robots, it is required to build robust nanostructures and flexible dynamic nanostructures, introduce molecular switches for sensing and manipulation, and incorporate dynamic functions for actuation. These individual systems are assembled as modules for creation of integrated molecular robots. For these purposes, design and construction of nanoscale structures using biomolecules has made great strides. Biomolecules have unique properties such as sequence-dependent assembly of molecular components to be a predesigned structure. DNA origami allows design and construction of various nanoscale structures and nanomachines. RNA nanostructures can be designed and constructed using specific RNA motifs and their interactions. Peptide structures can also be rationally designed and used as building blocks for assembling them into multidimensional nanostructures, such as a virus capsid, using characteristic structural motifs and interactions. In addition, novel molecular nanomachines with controllable functions have been created by chemical synthesis. Furthermore, researches on artificial cells have been progressing, in which lipid-bilayer membranes are used to mimic cells to perform complex biochemical reactions inside. The outer shells of a molecular robot are made of lipid membranes (liposomes). To make them work stably as a molecular robot, researches are being conducted to stabilize liposomes using DNA-based frameworks.