Information gathering and processing with fluorescent molecules

Abstract

Molecular information gathering and processing — a young field of applied chemistry — is undergoing good growth. The progress is occurring both in terms of conceptual development and in terms of the strengthening of older concepts with new examples. This review critically surveys these two broad avenues. We consider some cases where molecules emulate one of the building blocks of electronic logic gates. We then examine molecular emulation of various Boolean logic gates carrying one, two or three inputs. Some single-input gates are popular information gathering devices. Special systems, such as ‘lab-on-a-molecule’ and molecular keypad locks, also receive attention. A situation deviating from the Boolean blueprint is also discussed. Some pointers are offered for maintaining the upward curve of the field.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

molecular logic / molecular computation / molecular sensor / fluorescent molecular device / fluorescent sensor

Brian Daly, born and bred in Belfast, Northern Ireland, enjoys running, cycling, swimming and bringing up his two daughters. He is in the first year of his PhD research on switchable receptors. Jue Ling is a second-year PhD researcher in fluorescent molecular logic. He was born in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province, P.R. China, and counts playing basketball and cooking among his interests. AP de Silva was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, and plays percussion in an Irish traditional band. He pioneered molecular logic and fluorescent PET (photoinduced electron transfer) sensors. He wrote the book ‘Molecular-logic based Computation’. His collaboration with Roche Diagnostics led to the Optimedical OPTI analyzer for blood electrolytes, the chemistry module of which has sales of 110M $ so far.

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