Biomimetic nanotechnology

Biomimetic nanotechnology designs nanoscale materials and devices inspired by biological structures, processes, or functions. It applies biological principles to create or improve engineered systems.

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Molecular self-assembly: The spontaneous organization of molecules into ordered structures through local interactions. Biological systems build nanoscale structures through interactions that engineers can reproduce in designed materials.
Nanomaterials: Materials with structural features or particles measured on the nanometer scale. They are the physical platform on which biomimetic properties are engineered.
Nanomedicine: The use of nanoscale materials and devices for medical diagnosis, treatment, or prevention. Biomimetic designs can help nanomedicine interact selectively with cells and tissues.
Synthetic biology: The design or redesign of biological systems using engineering principles. It engineers living systems themselves, while biomimetic nanotechnology primarily designs nonliving nanoscale systems.
DNA nanotechnology: The use of DNA base pairing and designed sequences to construct nanoscale structures and devices. Programmable base pairing makes DNA a biological material for precisely arranging nanoscale components.
Cell membrane: A selectively permeable lipid-based boundary surrounding a cell. Its selective transport and compartmentalization inspire nanoscale membranes and delivery systems.
Targeted drug delivery: Delivery of therapeutic agents preferentially to specified cells, tissues, or disease sites. Cell-mimicking surfaces and biological recognition can improve where nanoscale carriers deliver drugs.
Biotechnology: The application of organisms, cells, or biological molecules to develop products and processes. Biotechnology often uses biological components directly; biomimetic designs may instead reproduce their principles.
Biomolecular recognition: The selective binding of biomolecules through complementary shape, charge, and chemical interactions. Specific binding lets biomimetic devices detect targets or organize components selectively.
Protein folding: The process by which a protein adopts the three-dimensional structure associated with its function. Protein shape and folding show how molecular structure can encode nanoscale function.