PNNL

Abstract

Scientists and engineers are rapidly developing techniques to produce nanostructures for various applications. Applications for nanodevices include electronic components, catalysts, and mechanical systems such as levers and motors. Nature has been developing processes and products at the nano scale throughout the evolutionary process. There are several biochemical processes that involve energy-producing reactors, synthesis, and various mechanical processes. The relationships between the recent accomplishments of scientists and engineers in nanotechnology and evolutionary changes in nature are the subject of this paper. Numerous examples are provided in which the structure of a biological system at the nano-scale relates to some elaborate biological function. The structure and function for biological systems and biochemicals can in some cases be correlated to the structure and function of man-made nanomaterials. In this paper, we focus on proteins, but similar insight can be attained from other biomolecules and a wide variety of biological processes.