The potential of myosin and actin in nanobiotechnology

Since the late 1990s, efforts have been made to utilize cytoskeletal filaments, propelled by molecular motors, for nanobiotechnological applications, for example, in biosensing and parallel computation. This work has led to in-depth insights into the advantages and challenges of such motor-based systems, and has yielded small-scale, proof-of-principle applications but, to date, no commercially viable devices. Additionally, these studies have also elucidated fundamental motor and filament properties, as well as providing other insights obtained from biophysical assays in which molecular motors and other proteins are immobilized on artificial surfaces. In this Perspective, I discuss the progress towards practically viable applications achieved so far using the myosin II-actin motor- filament system. I also highlight several fundamental pieces of insights derived from the studies. Finally, I consider what may be required to achieve real devices in the future or at least to allow future studies with a satisfactory cost-benefit ratio.