Photoisomerizing molecules in biological membranes

Biological membranes, consisting mostly of self-assembled amphiphilic molecules, serve as fundamental barriers that compartmentalize and organize cellular environments, essential for sustaining life functions. Reconstituting their rich dynamics and transformations is critical in addressing fundamental questions and mimicking lifelike functions. In nature, membrane deformations result from an interplay of external and internal mechanical forces. Synthetic photoisomerizing systems such as photoswitchable molecules and light-activated rotary molecular motors offer promising avenues to emulate these processes. However, their implementation demands intricate spatial and temporal control, coupled with rigorous experimental scrutiny. This Review explores recent and relevant advancements in integrating photoisomerizing systems into biological membranes, emphasizing key design considerations and operational challenges. By synthesizing current literature, common challenges and recent advances, we aim to provide a guide for research involving photoisomerizing molecules and biological membranes from the nanoscale to the macroscale applications.