Molecular Sensors and Key Locks

A molecule-sized diagnostic system combining several recognition elements and four fluorescence-emission channels enabled the identification of a wide range of pharmaceuticals on the basis of distinct photophysical processes. The molecular sensor (see simplified representation; ID=identification) was also used to analyze drug concentrations and combinations in urine samples in a high-throughput manner.[1]

Subsequently, the same sensor was used to design a highly efficient molecular security system. The ability of a pattern-generating molecule to process diverse sets of chemical inputs, discriminate among their concentrations, and form multivalent and kinetically stable complexes is demonstrated as a powerful tool for processing a wide range of chemical “passwords” of different lengths. This system thus indicates the potential for obtaining unbreakable combination locks at the molecular scale.[2]

[1] B. Rout, L. Unger, G. Armony, M. A. Iron and D. Margulies, Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 51, 12477 (2012).

[2] B. Rout, P. Milko, M. A. Iron, L. Motiei and D. Margulies, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 135, 15330 (2013).