Ions in motion: From biological channels to engineered transport systems
Bei Wu,
Yifan Yan,
Yuting Zhu,
Changxing Ji,
Yangyang Lin,
Chao Lang
Affiliations
Bei Wu
South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy and Information Polymer Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Yifan Yan
Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People's Republic of China, Nanjing 210014, PR China
Yuting Zhu
South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy and Information Polymer Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Changxing Ji
South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy and Information Polymer Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Yangyang Lin
South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy and Information Polymer Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China
Chao Lang
South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, State Key Laboratory of Pulp and Paper Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Guangdong Basic Research Center of Excellence for Energy and Information Polymer Materials, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional and Intelligent Hybrid Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, PR China; Corresponding author.
Natural membrane proteins are molecular machines evolved over billions of years, playing crucial roles in various physiological functions by precisely mediating transmembrane transport processes. Inspired by these marvels, people have developed many artificial transport systems with structures and functions matching those of natural proteins. Compared to proteins in nature, engineered transport systems offer advantage in structural simplicity, stability, and cost-effectiveness. These artificial systems could find applications in areas ranging from medical treatment to new materials, and to biotechnologies. This review begins by examining ionic flow in nature, where the high efficiency and selectivity of protein channels have inspired engineered systems. We then explore different types of artificial transport systems, including artificial channels, transporters, and nanopores, and techniques for characterizing these systems. Applications in therapeutics, biotechnologies, separation, and energy harvesting are discussed. Finally, we offer perspectives and outlook on the further advancement of the artificial ion transport systems.
