Real-time control over a chemical reaction network by light

Self-assembled molecules are responsible for important cellular processes. Self-assembled structures such as microtubules or actin filaments are key to cell motility: change of shape, division or extension of membranes. These self-assembled entities have the peculiarity of being formed temporarily, since they require energy consumption. Inspired by nature, there is currently an active area of research that attempts to replicate this process of self-assembly artificially, using the so-called chemical reaction networks.