Development of bio-hybrid micro machines

Abstract

Living system use many types of micro or nano-mechanical systems, which are called "motor protein". Those biological motors have unique features, such as nano-meter scaled molecular motor, high efficiently energy transduction from chemical energy or having a capacity of self-assembly. The realization of bio-hybrid micro-machines to integrate such motor proteins and micro-or nano-structures fabricated of inorganic materials, would have some potential values that are not achieved by traditional electronic, magnetic or optical devices. In this paper, we discuss a possibility of motor proteins to use as driving unit for micro analysis systems, such as Lab on a chip or μTAS (micro Total Analysis System) devices. © 2008 The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.