Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
09:26
Synthesis and Characterization of Supramolecular Colloids
Published on: April 22, 2016
Combining supramolecular chemistry with biology
Dana A Uhlenheuer1, Katja Petkau, Luc Brunsveld
1Laboratory of Chemical Biology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, 5612AZ Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Chemical Society Reviews
|May 13, 2010
Summary
Synthetic supramolecular chemistry, inspired by biology, now offers advanced tools for studying biological systems. These designed molecules precisely interact with proteins and cells, advancing biological research.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Chemical Biology
- Biomolecular Interactions
Background:
- Supramolecular chemistry draws inspiration from biological molecules like proteins and lipids.
- Advances in synthetic supramolecular assembly allow for precise control over molecular interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the integration of synthetic supramolecular architectures with biological systems.
- To highlight the potential of synthetic supramolecular elements in biological research.
Main Methods:
- Review of synthetic supramolecular systems designed for biomolecular interactions.
- Focus on the controlled assembly and properties of synthetic supramolecular architectures.
Main Results:
- Synthetic supramolecular elements serve as effective platforms for protein and cell recognition and modulation.
- Tunable features (size, shape, valency, interaction strength) enable tailored biological applications.
Conclusions:
- The combination of synthetic supramolecular chemistry and biology offers powerful new approaches to studying biological phenomena.
- Supramolecular chemistry has returned to its biological roots, utilizing designed molecules to investigate biological systems.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:55Synthetic Biology
Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary science that involves using principles from disciplines such as engineering, molecular biology, cell biology, and systems biology. It involves remodeling existing organisms from nature or constructing completely new synthetic organisms for applications such as protein or enzyme production, bioremediation, value-added macromolecule production, and the addition of desirable traits to crops, to name a few.
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
Golden rice
Golden rice is a genetically modified...
02:35Noncovalent Attractions in Biomolecules
Noncovalent attractions are associations within and between molecules that influence the shape and structural stability of complexes. These interactions differ from covalent bonding in that they do not involve sharing of electrons.
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
02:35Noncovalent Attractions in Biomolecules
Noncovalent attractions are associations within and between molecules that influence the shape and structural stability of complexes. These interactions differ from covalent bonding in that they do not involve sharing of electrons.
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
Four types of noncovalent interactions are hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces, ionic bonds, and hydrophobic interactions.
Hydrogen bonding results from the electrostatic attraction of a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a strong-electronegative atom like oxygen,...
01:37Super-resolution Fluorescence Microscopy
Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (SRFM) provides a better resolution than conventional fluorescence microscopy by reducing the point spread function (PSF). PSF is the light intensity distribution from a point that causes it to appear blurred. Due to PSF, each fluorescing point appears bigger than its actual size, and it is the PSF interference of nearby fluorophores that causes the blurred image. Various approaches to achieving higher resolution through SRFM have recently been developed.
02:58Chemistry of the Cell
The cell is chemically composed of water, organic molecules and inorganic ions.
Water
The polarity of the water molecule and its resulting hydrogen bonding makes water a unique substance with special properties that are intimately tied to the processes of life. Life originally evolved in an aqueous environment, and most of an organism’s cellular chemistry and metabolism occur inside the aqueous contents of the cell’s cytoplasm. Special properties of water are its high heat capacity and heat of...
Water
The polarity of the water molecule and its resulting hydrogen bonding makes water a unique substance with special properties that are intimately tied to the processes of life. Life originally evolved in an aqueous environment, and most of an organism’s cellular chemistry and metabolism occur inside the aqueous contents of the cell’s cytoplasm. Special properties of water are its high heat capacity and heat of...
02:58Chemistry of the Cell
The cell is chemically composed of water, organic molecules and inorganic ions.
Water
The polarity of the water molecule and its resulting hydrogen bonding makes water a unique substance with special properties that are intimately tied to the processes of life. Life originally evolved in an aqueous environment, and most of an organism’s cellular chemistry and metabolism occur inside the aqueous contents of the cell’s cytoplasm. Special properties of water are its high heat capacity and heat of...
Water
The polarity of the water molecule and its resulting hydrogen bonding makes water a unique substance with special properties that are intimately tied to the processes of life. Life originally evolved in an aqueous environment, and most of an organism’s cellular chemistry and metabolism occur inside the aqueous contents of the cell’s cytoplasm. Special properties of water are its high heat capacity and heat of...