Biotechnology as a route to nanotechnology

In manufacturing, it is common to hold, position and assemble parts in a fashion that is not possible today at the molecular scale, yet the basic principles of positional assembly are just as applicable whether the parts are meters or nanometers in size. The ability to hold and position parts gives us remarkable flexibility, whether we are making furniture or synthesizing complex molecular structures. Applying this powerful concept at the molecular scale will require the development of new tools and pose new challenges in many fields, but the rewards will be enormous.