title: Motor proteins at work for nanotechnology.
abstract: The biological cell is equipped with a variety of molecular machines that perform complex mechanical tasks such as cell division or intracellular transport. One can envision employing these biological motors in artificial environments. We review the progress that has been made in using motor proteins for powering or manipulating nanoscale components. In particular, kinesin and myosin biomotors that move along linear biofilaments have been widely explored as active components. Currently realized applications are merely proof-of-principle demonstrations. Yet, the sheer availability of an entire ready-to-use toolbox of nanosized biological motors is a great opportunity that calls for exploration.
authors.affiliation: Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ Delft, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martin G L
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
authors.forename: Cees
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dekker
mesh_terms: D008841:Actin Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D005407:Flagella / Q000502:physiology; D016547:Kinesins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D008870:Microtubules / Q000378:metabolism; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D009218:Myosins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D049329:Nanostructures; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D011487:Protein Conformation; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D006180:Proton-Translocating ATPases; D009218:Myosins; D016547:Kinesins