Colloquium: Bioinspired Chemistry : Chemist's Way of Mimicking Nature's Creativity

Nature has the amazing ability to create functional architectures comprising of small and large molecular systems that perform specific functions. Double helical DNA, triple helical collagen, macroscopic virus, and photosynthetic bacteria on the one hand and self-cleaning property of plant leaves and the Gecko effect on the other hand are classical examples. Intermolecular interactions and molecular recognitions through various noncovalent forces play a crucial role in the construction and functioning of these structures. Over the years chemists have been trying to understand the principles and mechanisms behind the creation of such systems using artificial/synthetic molecules. Insights into the chemical and physical processes involved in the functioning of natural systems have helped to the development of advanced materials in a variety of applications. These studies related to biology as well as materials have significantly contributed to the emerging area of nanoscience and technology. In many of these cases, chemists have attempted to mimic natural process to the design of synthetic materials. This is a topic of broad scientific interest and is interdisciplinary in nature. For the past several years we have been interested in designing molecules that self-organize to form supramolecular architectures of different size, shape and functions. In this process, we came across a simple way of mimicking the self-cleaning property of lotus leaves. A brief story of the above finding will be narrated.