Molecular building blocks and their architecture in biologically/environmentally compatible soft matter chemical machinery

J Oleo Sci. 2014;63(11):1085-98. doi: 10.5650/jos.ess14190. Epub 2014 Oct 21.

Abstract

This review briefly summarizes recent developments in the construction of biologically/environmentally compatible chemical machinery composed of soft matter. Since environmental and living systems are open systems, chemical machinery must continuously fulfill its functions not only through the influx and generation of molecules but also via the degradation and dissipation of molecules. If the degradation or dissipation of soft matter molecular building blocks and biomaterial molecules/polymers can be achieved, soft matter particles composed of them can be used to realize chemical machinery such as selfpropelled droplets, drug delivery carriers, tissue regeneration scaffolds, protocell models, cell-/tissuemarkers, and molecular computing systems.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
  • Computers, Molecular
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems*
  • Emulsions
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Micelles
  • Models, Biological
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Surface Properties
  • Surface Tension
  • Surface-Active Agents* / chemistry
  • Tissue Scaffolds* / chemistry
  • Unilamellar Liposomes

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Drug Carriers
  • Emulsions
  • Micelles
  • Polymers
  • Surface-Active Agents
  • Unilamellar Liposomes