An Artificial MolecularTransducer Driven by MolecularRecognition

Abstract Nature’s biological machines employ signaling molecules to regulate complex functions, but replicating these functions in artificial systems remains challenging. Here, we report an artificial molecular transducer whose operation is driven by the molecular recognition of exogenous signaling molecules. The transducer lacks an effective binding cavity in its as-prepared form. Treatment with appropriate signaling molecules then induces conformational changes that create an accessible cavity suitable for guest recognition. Using anthracene as a photoresponsive signaling molecule enables control over guest binding and release. This allows the transducer to mediate the transport of representative small molecules across a centimeter-thick aqueous layer in both down-gradient and up-gradient modes, and to promote a transport-enabled bioorthogonal reaction.

Authors

Institutions

Publication Details

Journal
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Published
2026-08-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.6c12829
Primary Topic
Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

Funders

Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
article

An Artificial MolecularTransducer Driven by MolecularRecognition

Jonathan L. Sessler, J. Fraser Stoddart, Shuai Fang, Bin Hua et al.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
article

An Artificial MolecularTransducer Driven by MolecularRecognition

Jonathan L. Sessler, J. Fraser Stoddart, Shuai Fang, Bin Hua, Shiyu Tan, Mengbin Wang, Zhongwen Liu, Feihe Huang, Ming Li, Bohan Zhao, Zhenguo Zhang, Mingrui Xiao, Enxu Liu, Shang Li
article en

Abstract

Abstract Nature’s biological machines employ signaling molecules to regulate complex functions, but replicating these functions in artificial systems remains challenging. Here, we report an artificial molecular transducer whose operation is driven by the molecular recognition of exogenous signaling molecules. The transducer lacks an effective binding cavity in its as-prepared form. Treatment with appropriate signaling molecules then induces conformational changes that create an accessible cavity suitable for guest recognition. Using anthracene as a photoresponsive signaling molecule enables control over guest binding and release. This allows the transducer to mediate the transport of representative small molecules across a centimeter-thick aqueous layer in both down-gradient and up-gradient modes, and to promote a transport-enabled bioorthogonal reaction.

Journal of the American Chemical Society
UNSW Sydney (AU), Institut de Chimie de Strasbourg (FR), Northwestern University (PH), Institut de Chimie (FR), Zhejiang University (CN), The University of Texas at Austin (US), University of Hong Kong (HK)
Welch Foundation, National Natural Science Foundation of China
Openalex Percentile: Top 18%
Supramolecular Chemistry and Complexes
DOISourceOpenAlex
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.