Patterning Porous Networks through Self‐Assembly of Programmed Biomacromolecules

Two‐dimensional (2D) porous networks are of great interest for the fabrication of complex organized functional materials for potential applications in nanotechnologies and nanoelectronics. This review aims at providing an overview of bottom‐up approaches towards the engineering of 2D porous networks by using biomacromolecules, with a particular focus on nucleic acids and proteins. The first part illustrates how the advancements in DNA nanotechnology allowed for the attainment of complex ordered porous two‐dimensional DNA nanostructures, thanks to a biomimetic approach based on DNA molecules self‐assembly through specific hydrogen‐bond base pairing. The second part focuses the attention on how polypeptides and proteins structural properties could be used to engineer organized networks templating the formation of multifunctional materials. The structural organization of all examples is discussed as revealed by scanning probe microscopy or transmission electron microscopy imaging techniques. 3, 2, 1, self‐assemble! The self‐assembly of programmed organic molecules and biomacromolecules into two‐dimensional porous networks constitutes an efficient bottom‐up route towards the fabrication of functional materials. These networks can be used as templates to organize guests, such as nanoparticles, proteins and fluorophores into regular arrays, thereby producing functional materials for potential applications in nanotechnologies and nanoelectronics.