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The concept of ‘‘molecular machines’’ is implicit in and integral to molecular biology. These entities can be either single molecules or molecular complexes but all perform distinct functions that involve converting chemical energy (stored or supplied) into some form of molecular or cellular work. The range of functions performed and the variety of structures of such molecular machines, however, are enormous. This thematic issue of BioEssays provides a look at the world of molecular machines and some of the shared features that they display. The coverage is not comprehensive, of course, but we hope that the contents will convey a general sense of what the world of molecular machines is like, in addition to providing insight into the specific features of some of the best understood examples.

These articles are provided free online by Wiley-Liss, Inc., the publishers of BioEssays, as a service to the scientific community.

Page updated July 1, 2004