Contents

Preface ౩V

Acknowledgment ౩VII

List of abbreviations ౩XI

1

Introduction ౩1

1.1

Introduction to Cell Biology and Cell Communication ౩1

1.2

Nanoscale Actors and Their Properties ౩6

1.3

Nanoscale Reactions ౩24

1.4

The Brain and the Functioning of Nerve Cells ౩30

1.5

Machines and Computers on the Microscale and Nanoscale ౩37

1.6

Detection Methods ౩44

1.7

Sensor Elements and Testing on the Nanoscale ౩48

Bibliography ౩54

Further Reading ౩54

2

Movement ౩56

2.1

Human Movement and Muscles on the Molecular Scale ౩56

2.2

Movement Using Biological Molecules and Methods ౩61

2.3

Biomimetic Movement ౩67

2.4

Summary and the Bigger Picture ౩71

Bibliography ౩71

Further Reading ౩72

3

Vision ౩73

3.1

Human Vision on the Molecular Scale ౩73

3.2

Photosensors Using Biological Molecules and Methods ౩73

3.3

Biomimetic Photosensors ౩77

3.4

Summary and the Bigger Picture ౩81

Bibliography ౩81

4

Smell and Taste ౩83

4.1

Human Smell and Taste on the Molecular Scale ౩83

4.2

Chemical Sensors Using Biological Cells, Molecules, and Methods ౩84

4.3

Biomimetic Chemical Sensors ౩90

4.4

Summary and the Bigger Picture ౩94

Bibliography ౩94