Biomaterial Database

Lipid vesicle-based molecular robots. 2024

Zugui Peng, and Shoji Iwabuchi, and Kayano Izumi, and Sotaro Takiguchi, and Misa Yamaji, and Shoko Fujita, and Harune Suzuki, and Fumika Kambara, and Genki Fukasawa, and Aileen Cooney, and Lorenzo Di Michele, and Yuval Elani, and Tomoaki Matsuura, and Ryuji Kawano

Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, 2-24-16 Naka-cho, Koganei-shi, Tokyo185-8588, Japan. rjkawano@cc.tuat.ac.jp.

A molecular robot, which is a system comprised of one or more molecular machines and computers, can execute sophisticated tasks in many fields that span from nanomedicine to green nanotechnology. The core parts of molecular robots are fairly consistent from system to system and always include (i) a body to encapsulate molecular machines, (ii) sensors to capture signals, (iii) computers to make decisions, and (iv) actuators to perform tasks. This review aims to provide an overview of approaches and considerations to develop molecular robots. We first introduce the basic technologies required for constructing the core parts of molecular robots, describe the recent progress towards achieving higher functionality, and subsequently discuss the current challenges and outlook. We also highlight the applications of molecular robots in sensing biomarkers, signal communications with living cells, and conversion of energy. Although molecular robots are still in their infancy, they will unquestionably initiate massive change in biomedical and environmental technology in the not too distant future.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008055	Lipids	A generic term for fats and lipoids, the alcohol-ether-soluble constituents of protoplasm, which are insoluble in water. They comprise the fats, fatty oils, essential oils, waxes, phospholipids, glycolipids, sulfolipids, aminolipids, chromolipids (lipochromes), and fatty acids. (Grant & Hackh's Chemical Dictionary, 5th ed)	Lipid
D012371	Robotics	The application of electronic, computerized control systems to mechanical devices designed to perform human functions. Formerly restricted to industry, but nowadays applied to artificial organs controlled by bionic (bioelectronic) devices, like automated insulin pumps and other prostheses.	Companion Robots,Humanoid Robots,Remote Operations (Robotics),Social Robots,Socially Assistive Robots,Telerobotics,Soft Robotics,Assistive Robot, Socially,Companion Robot,Humanoid Robot,Operation, Remote (Robotics),Operations, Remote (Robotics),Remote Operation (Robotics),Robot, Companion,Robot, Humanoid,Robot, Social,Robot, Socially Assistive,Robotic, Soft,Social Robot,Socially Assistive Robot,Soft Robotic
D013672	Technology	The application of scientific knowledge to practical purposes in any field. It includes methods, techniques, and instrumentation.	Industrial Arts,Arts, Industrial
D036103	Nanotechnology	The development and use of techniques to study physical phenomena and construct structures in the nanoscale size range or smaller.	Nanotechnologies