Emergence of autonomous functions through hierarchical integration of molecular engines

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project Area: Molecular Engine: Design of Autonomous Functions through Energy Conversion
• Project/Area Number: 18H05423
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (Research in a proposed research area)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Review Section: Complex systems
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2020-2023); Hokkaido University (2018-2019)
• Principal Investigator: Akira Kakugo 京都大学, 理学研究科, 教授 (10374224)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 景山 義之 北海道大学, 理学研究院, 助教 (90447326)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-06-29 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 自己組織化 / 発動分子・分子モーター / 協同性と機能創発 / 階層構造 / エネルギー変換と力学的仕事

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Biomolecular motors such as kinesin/microtubule and myosin/actin are nanometer-sized molecular engine that convert chemical energy into mechanical work. By developing highly durable molecules engine and assembling those molecules engines by chemical modification, we have created molecular devices that stably emerge autonomous functions. On the other hand, in the research for the development of autonomous functions by hierarchizing artificial molecular engine, we constructed molecular devices that realize self-propulsion and stimuli-memorized motion based on a system that achieves self-sustained macroscopic flip motion under steady-state light irradiation by accumulating an azobenzene derivative.

Free Research Field

非線形化学現象が関与する生物物理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

生体分子モーターが栄養素を消費して構造変化を示すこと，光異性化分子が受光によって構造変化を示すこと，は古くから知られてきた。研究代表者・分担者はこれらの継続的なナノメートルサイズの構造変化を集団化させることでサブミリメートルスケールの継続運動へと昇華させてきたが，本研究ではそれを「実効的な仕事を実現する分子デバイスの実現」へとつなげたことに意義がある。分子ロボットを始めとする未来の能動的分子デバイスに向けた研究開発が，この研究を始点に拡がっていくことが期待されている。