Workplan
The primary scientific objective is to achieve scientific prominence in the field of design and handling of nano-scaled molecular machines . To reach this goal, we approach this scientific and technological challenge starting from two different scientific paradigms:
- The biological-natural approach consists in the implementation of naturally occurring and readily working machines. These machines possess an elevated degree of complexity and are well adapted to the highly-integrated conditions within living systems.
- The synthetic-artificial approach relies on a bottom-up approach to build-up nano-scaled machines by the assembly of simple synthetic bricks. Cutting-edge expertise in supramolecular self-assembly and self-organisation techniques is mandatory to steer the construction process and to control functionality of such de novo designed nanometer scale molecule engines.
Schematic Workplan of the BIOMACH Project
The central project theme of designing and handling of molecular machines will be pursued by the two main approaches (synthetic and biological), whose overlap will give birth to third general possibility of hybrid machines. The systems obtained from all three ways will be positioned on surfaces by self-assembling techniques and investigated in the nanometer domain.
Due to the high complexity of the scientific field, the working principle will be highly parallel: Continuing research works on the design of artificial and/or investigation of biological molecular machines will yield new systems which will immediately subject to nano-handling techniques. Of particular interest will be the search for alternative fueling systems for biological systems and the conceptualization of new design principles for artificial machines.