Open AccessHerding Nanotransporters: Localized Activation via Release and Sequestration of Control Molecules
Author(s) -
Robert Tucker,
Parag Katira,
Henry Hess
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.853
H-Index - 488
eISSN - 1530-6992
pISSN - 1530-6984
DOI - 10.1021/nl072516n
Subject(s) - nanobiotechnology , activator (genetics) , nanotechnology , molecular motor , chemistry , biophysics , nanorobotics , nanoscopic scale , molecule , microtubule , molecular machine , materials science , nanoparticle , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , gene
A challenge for nanotechnology is the dynamic and specific control of nanomachines by the user. Molecular shuttles, consisting of cargo-binding microtubules propelled by surface-immobilized kinesin motor proteins, are an example of a nanoscale system that ideally can be selectively activated at programmable locations and times. Here we discuss a biomimetic solution where activating molecules are delivered locally via photolysis of a caged compound and subsequently sequestered in an enzymatic network. The controlled sequestration of the activator not only creates a rapid deactivation when the stimulus is removed but also sharpens the concentration profile of the rapidly diffusing activator. This improvement comes at the expense of a reduced efficiency in the utilization of the activator molecules, suggesting that these nanosystems are most efficiently addressed as a swarm rather than as individuals. Our work represents a step toward transferring the cellular control strategies of molecular activation to bionanotechnology.