Molecular Machines

tiny mechanics · cell power · biology · nanotechnology

Machines at the smallest scale. Molecular machines are made of atoms and molecules bundled together to create movement and do work, just like the machines we see in the everyday world, but millions of times smaller.

Nature's tiny workers. Your cells are filled with natural molecular machines that handle critical jobs like copying your DNA when cells divide and creating ATP, which is the energy currency that powers everything you do.

Kinesins move cargo. Kinesins are molecular machines shaped like tiny walking legs that actually walk along highways inside your cells, carrying packages of proteins and other molecules to where they're needed.

Ribosomes build proteins. Ribosomes are molecular machines that read instructions from your DNA and assemble proteins, which are the building blocks and workers of every cell in your body.

Scientists building mini-machines. For decades, scientists have tried to design and build their own molecular machines by copying nature's designs, creating artificial switches and motors that could one day revolutionize medicine and technology.