Mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) carry great potential in different fields of chemistry, based on their specific structures, their internal dynamics, their stimuli‐responsive behavior, and other unique features of the mechanical bond. This minireview presents some of the most recent developments in their use for medical and biological applications. For example, they have been used to influence, enhance or block the action of therapeutic agents to enable targeted drug delivery. The dynamic structural properties have been used to generate switches and transporters, as well as sensors for various medically relevant species. Building MIMs by incorporating biomolecules like DNA and proteins has served as a novel way to control their properties.
The Front Cover shows an artistic rendition of a cell culture incorporating mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs), illustrating different strategies in which they have been applied for biological and medical functions. MIMs have been used to create smart drugs and endow theranostic materials with advantageous properties. They have also been used to construct sensors for various biologically relevant targets. The special dynamic properties of rotaxanes have also been exploited to build transmembrane transporters. Another exciting avenue of research is the construction of functional mechanically interlocked protein‐ and DNA‐structures. The authors would like to thank Dana Kauerhof for help with creating the graphic. More information can be found in the Minireview by J. Niemeyer et al.
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