Binary logic operations with artificial molecular machines

Living systems rely on ions and molecules for gathering, elaborating and storing information, as well as for controlling motion across different length scales. Artificial mimics of such biomolecular systems, i.e., logic devices and mechanical machines, have been developed in the past decades. Here we discuss their combination to produce logic-controlled nanomachines, a research that holds great potential for basic science and prospective applications. Systems of this kind may be forerunners of ‘molecular robots’ that can execute specific functions as a result of gathering and processing multiple environmental stimuli.