Light-Fuelled Self-Assembly of Cyclic Peptides into Supramolecular Tubules

Abstract The work performed by supramolecular polymers, such as microtubules and actin filaments, supports the life of the cell, and essentially involves fuel-driven self-assembly pathways. Developing fuel-driven supramolecular polymerization processes is therefore crucial to the realization of mechanically active molecular systems. Here, we demonstrate supramolecular tubules with non-equilibrium steady states that are fuelled by light. This dynamic supramolecular system features rapid cycles of self-assembly and disassembly, at rates that appear fast enough to perform mechanical tasks in fluids effectively.