Comparison of actin- and microtubule-based motility systems for application in functional nanodevices

Abstract Over the last 25 years, extensive progress has been made in developing a range of nanotechnological applications where cytoskeletal filaments and molecular motors are key elements. This includes novel, highly miniaturized lab on chip systems for biosensing, nanoseparation etc but also new materials parallel computation devices solving otherwise intractable mathematical problems. For such approaches, both actin-based microtubule-based have used. However, accordance with their different cellular functions, actin microtubules properties interaction kinetics motors. Therefore, two obviously exhibit advantages encounter challenges when exploited applications. Specifically, achievable filament velocities, capability to guide along nanopatterned tracks attach transport cargo differ between actin- systems. Our aim here is systematically elucidate these differences facilitate design optimize future developments. We first review functions fundamental physical biochemical microtubules. In this context we consider other regulatory proteins that relevance then relate associated use each motor-filament tasks. Finally, considered relation some most interesting development paths e.g. biosensing biocomputation.