US scientists have developed an artificial photosynthetic membrane that uses light to transport calcium ions. Calcium transport in biological systems is responsible for many cellular processes including muscle contraction, immunity and vision. The results obtained by Devens Gust and Thomas Moore from Arizona State University and colleagues at the Universidad Nacional de Río Cuarto, in Argentina, show that useful nanoscale structures can be constructed by imitating certain aspects of biological systems (IM Bennett et al. 2002 Nature 420 398)
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