The bio—nano interface

摘要

The bio–nano interface comprises three meanings. First is the conceptual one: the"living proof of principle" that nanoscale mechanisms (the subcellular molecularmachinery inside a living cell) exist and can function. Within this meaning there is alsoan inspirational aspect: living cells are known to distinguish between naturalstructures differing from one another at the nanoscale, suggesting that artificialmimics may also be used to invoke specific living responses. Second is the man–machine interface aspect: how can humans control atomic-scale assembly?Conversely, how can atomic-scale assembly be scaled up to provide artefacts ofhuman dimensions? Third is the literal physical boundary between a living organismand a nanomaterial, device or system. This applies both to nanobiotechnology (theapplication of nanotechnology to biology, e.g., implantable medical devices) andbionanotechnology (the use of biological molecules in nanodevices). This "bio–physical"interface has several characteristic scales from the biological viewpoint: organismal,cellular and biomolecular. We examine each scale, considering the bio–nano as aspecial case of the general problem of the bio–nonbio (living–nonliving) interface.Metrology aspects are also considered. Finally, the aspect of the largest biologicalscale, that of the interface beteween society and nanotechnology, is discussed.