Biomimetic nanopores: learning from and about nature

Through recent advances in nanotechnology and molecular engineering, biomimetics - the development of synthetic systems that imitate biological structures and processes is now emerging at the nanoscale. In this review, we explore biomimetic nanopores and nanochannels. Biological systems are full of nano-scale channels and pores that inspire us to devise artificial pores that demonstrate molecular selectivity or other functional advantages. Moreover, with a biomimetic approach, we can also study biological pores, through bottom-up engineering approaches whereby constituent components can be investigated outside the complex cellular environment.