Bioinspired molecular engineering of amino acid and arylenediimide derivatives for functional applications

Abstract

The term bioinspiration relates to the design strategies that are inspired by mechanisms or laws or functions operating in biological systems.1-14 Over the years, few other related terms are also being employed by several research groups, namely biomimetics (biomimicry), biotechnology, biokleptics and bionics. The term biomimetics is derived from the Greek word ‗bios‘ meaning ‗life‘ and ‗mimesis‘ meaning ‗to imitate‘.15-20 As early as 1969 Otto Schmitt coined the term biomimetics, which made its first appearance in Webster‘s Dictionary in 1974 with the definition, ―the study of the formation, structure or function of biologically produced substances and materials (as enzymes or silk) and biological mechanisms and processes (as protein synthesis or photosynthesis) especially for the purpose of synthesizing similar products by artificial mechanisms which mimic natural ones‖. On the other hand, the term biotechnology refers to the technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use.21-24