Motion Control of Urea-Powered Biocompatible Hollow Microcapsules

Enzymes play a crucial role in many biological processes which require harnessing and converting free chemical energy into kinetic forces in order to accomplish tasks. Enzymes are considered to be molecular machines, not only because of their capability of energy conversion in biological systems but also because enzymatic catalysis can result in enhanced diffusion of enzymes at a molecular level. Enlightened by nature’s design of biological machinery, researchers have investigated various types of synthetic micro/nanomachines by using enzymatic reactions to achieve self-propulsion of micro/nanoarchitectures. Yet, the mechanism of motion is still under debate in current literature. Versatile proof-of-concept applications of these enzyme-powered micro/nanodevices have been recently demonstrated. In this review, we focus on discussing enzymes not only as stochastic swimmers but also as nanoengines to power self-propelled synthetic motors. We present an overview on different enzyme-powered micro/nanomachines, the current debate on their motion mechanism, methods to provide motion and speed control, and an outlook of the future potentials of this multidisciplinary field.

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Section: Enzyme-powered Micro/nanomotorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…(B) (a) Schematic illustration and plots of motion control on urea-powered microcapsule motors by inhibiting and reactivating the enzymatic activity; (b) directional guidance on the microcapsule motors by remote magnetic control. Reproduced from ref (66). Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society.…”

Section: Enzyme-powered Micro/nanomotorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enzyme Catalysis To Power Micro/Nanomachines

et al. 2016

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“…Encapsulation of the enzymatic network in bowl-shaped polymeric nanoparticles represents an example of a compartmentalized out-of-equilibrium system that is capable of converting molecular fuels into motion. 16−22 Regulating the turnover rates in the enzymatic network leads to a tunable and sustained output and a concomitant control over the speed of the nanomotors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Compartmentalized Out-of-Equilibrium Enzymatic Reaction Network for Sustained Autonomous Movement

et al. 2016

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Every living cell is a compartmentalized out-of-equilibrium system exquisitely able to convert chemical energy into function. In order to maintain homeostasis, the flux of metabolites is tightly controlled by regulatory enzymatic networks. A crucial prerequisite for the development of lifelike materials is the construction of synthetic systems with compartmentalized reaction networks that maintain out-of-equilibrium function. Here, we aim for autonomous movement as an example of the conversion of feedstock molecules into function. The flux of the conversion is regulated by a rationally designed enzymatic reaction network with multiple feedforward loops. By compartmentalizing the network into bowl-shaped nanocapsules the output of the network is harvested as kinetic energy. The entire system shows sustained and tunable microscopic motion resulting from the conversion of multiple external substrates. The successful compartmentalization of an out-of-equilibrium reaction network is a major first step in harnessing the design principles of life for construction of adaptive and internally regulated lifelike systems.

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“…It has been proposed that enzyme-coated Janus nanoparticles can move by means of a diffusiophoretic mechanism. 6,7 The velocity of these Janus particles is related to the concentration of the enzyme substrate. It is also well established that biomolecular interactions can be mechanically disrupted, for example, by pulling biomolecules apart with an atomic force microscope or with optical tweezers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The particle design could be easily adapted to respond to the concentration of other metabolites such as urea or hydrogen peroxide by simply changing GOx for urease or catalase, respectively. 6,7 This concept is promising for developing a new family of particles that selectively establish interactions with cells as a function of the concentration of different metabolites present in the cell microenvironment.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%