Systemization Technology for Molecular Robots

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter describes the practical examples of efforts in designing molecules and their combinations to work as a system and obtain higher-level spatiotemporal structures. While life on earth has evolved through and even defined by a series of practical and environmental challenges over 4 billion years, our synthetic systems can be designed and implemented without the constraints of the earth's ambient conditions. Here, we introduce the overview of research on artificial cells and molecular robots including the systemization of amoeboid (artificial cell type) molecular robots. Then we describe gellular automaton and molecular computing where a variety of information is propagated in the gel, and changes in their physical properties and material production are constantly repeated. Next, we explain the use of microfluidic devices in manipulating water droplets containing the desired molecules for the controlled assembly of molecular robots at the micron scale. We also describe the practical applications of using nanopores as molecular gates in lipid membrane. Finally, we give an overview of synthetic biology, an important research field connecting molecular robots and artificial cells.