Monday, 23 November 2015
Dr. Sander J. Wezenberg discusses about molecular switches and motors activated by light
Dr. Sander J. Wezenberg, from the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen (The Netherlands), was invited by Dr. Jordi Fraxedas to offer an ICN2 Seminar entitled “Photochromic molecular switches and motors as tools for adaptive nanosystems”.
Responsive nanosystems that mimic the highly complex and dynamic functions found in biology (e.g. allosteric regulation, transport and motion) are receiving increased interest and will form the basis of future nanomachines. In this context, molecular switches and motors activated by light are emerging as fascinating tools to control the properties of self-assembled multicomponent materials, as well as certain biological processes.
Dr. Sander J. Wezenberg, from the Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen (The Netherlands), discussed about such molecular switches on November 20 during an ICN2 Seminar entitled “Photochromic molecular switches and motors as tools for adaptive nanosystems”. Dr. Jordi Fraxedas, CSIC Researcher and Group Leader of the ICN2 Force Probe Microscopy and Surface Nanoengineering Group, was the Chair of the event.
During his presentation Dr. Sander J. Wezenberg discussed synthetic systems in which the dynamic behavior of light-responsive molecular switches and motors is coupled to specific functions. Particular focus was on the use of molecular rotary motors as multi-stage switches for the regulation of receptor-ligand binding affinity and the induction of phase transitions in gels. Finally, allosteric regulation of the speed of rotation of these motors as well as efficient visible-light-induced switching using photosensitizers was illustrated.