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Related Concept Videos

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins

Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular cargos...
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Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

The ciliary structures were first seen in 1647 by Antonie Leeuwenhoek while observing the protozoans. In lower organisms, these appendages are responsible for cell movement, while in higher organisms, these appendages help in the movement of the extracellular fluids within the body cavities.
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Mechanism of Ciliary Motion01:05

Mechanism of Ciliary Motion

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Indirect Motor Pathways01:22

Indirect Motor Pathways

The indirect motor or extrapyramidal pathways originate in the brainstem, the lower portion of the brain that connects it to the spinal cord. They consist of several distinct tracts, each with specialized functions. The four main tracts of the indirect motor pathways are the vestibulospinal tract, the reticulospinal tract, the tectospinal tract, and the rubrospinal tract.
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ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview01:27

ATP Driven Pumps I: An Overview

ATP-driven pumps, also known as transport ATPases, are integral membrane proteins. They have binding sites for ATP located on the membrane's cytosolic side and the ion-conducting domain in the transmembrane region. These pumps use the free energy released from ATP hydrolysis to move the solutes across cell membranes against an electrochemical gradient.
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The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles

In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging
08:40

Light-driven Molecular Motors on Surfaces for Single Molecular Imaging

Published on: March 13, 2019

Light-Driven Dual Rotary Molecular Motors and Beyond.

Carlijn L F van Beek1, Ben L Feringa1

  • 1Stratingh Institute for Chemistry, University of Groningen, Groningen 9747AG, The Netherlands.

Accounts of Chemical Research
|June 25, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed dual rotary molecular motors that enable controlled, multi-frequency rotation, mimicking biological machines. These artificial systems offer new possibilities for nanoscale motion and cooperative behavior.

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Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Supramolecular Chemistry
  • Nanotechnology
  • Organic Chemistry

Background:

  • Biological molecular machines like ATP synthase utilize nanoscale rotary motion for efficient task execution.
  • Artificial molecular machines, particularly light-driven overcrowded-alkene motors, have demonstrated unidirectional rotation.
  • Extending single-rotor systems to dual rotary molecular motors presents opportunities for studying emergent behaviors and control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and investigate symmetric and mixed light-driven dual rotary molecular motors.
  • To gain mechanistic insights into coupled motion and directional control in multi-rotor systems.
  • To explore the potential of dual motors for next-generation molecular machines and materials.

Main Methods:

  • Synthesis and characterization of fluorene-based and oxindole-based dual rotary motors.
  • Photochemical and thermal studies to analyze rotation mechanisms, including ultrafast spectroscopy.
  • Investigation of steric effects, substitution patterns, and solvent influences on rotary performance.

Main Results:

  • Developed dual motors where a pseudoasymmetric center dictates directionality and steric tuning controls speed.
  • Identified coupled rotary motion in oxindole-based dual motors, revealing novel relaxation pathways and collective behavior.
  • Created mixed-rotor motors capable of sustaining two distinct unidirectional rotational frequencies, controlled by external factors.

Conclusions:

  • Dual rotary motors serve as a versatile platform for studying coupled motion, asymmetric photochemistry, and multifrequency rotation.
  • These systems demonstrate unprecedented control over rotational behavior, unmatched in natural or synthetic counterparts.
  • Future designs with multiple coupled rotors promise programmable, cooperative nanoscale motion for advanced applications.