Biomimetic nanopores: learning from and about nature

Abstract

Through recent advances in nanotechnology and molecular engineering, biomimetics - the development of synthetic systems that imitate biological structures and processes - is now emerging at the nanoscale. In this review, we explore biomimetic nanopores and nanochannels. Biological systems are full of nano-scale channels and pores that inspire us to devise artificial pores that demonstrate molecular selectivity or other functional advantages. Moreover, with a biomimetic approach, we can also study biological pores, through bottom-up engineering approaches whereby constituent components can be investigated outside the complex cellular environment.