Transportation of micromachined structures by biomolecular linear motors

We have demonstrated a novel micro/nano transportation system using the adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-driven biomolecular motors. Two kinds of linear biomolecular motor systems, microtubule- kinesin [1] and actin- myosin [2], are investigated as driving mechanisms in the system. The rail molecules, microtubules, and actin are patterned on a glass substrate using a regular soft lithography technique with poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS). A few pm order micromachined structure coated with the motor molecules was transported along the rail molecules.