Artificial molecules remove roadblock

Researchers have developed synthetic, self-assembling ion channels in a step forward for bioengineering. The ability of cell membranes to sense, selectively transport substances and transduce signals are attractive to bioengineers looking to develop new devices. However, their development is challenging, with the control of assembly, orientation and responsiveness remaining a roadblock. In a step forward, a team of researchers has developed a synthetic mimic of ion channels. "A major obstacle that limits the application of artificial transmembrane molecules is achieving the functionally active orientation,” explained co-authors Kazushi Kinbara and Takahiro Muraoka, from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Yokohama, Japan). “We tried...