Context: Scientists from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Science and Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a synthetic mimic of redox-active biological assemblies, with precise structure and dynamics that can be manipulated.
Key Points'

• Scientists have developed a synthetic material that mimics the dynamic capability of living organisms to adapt to new environments by utilizing simple natural design principles to create complex networks. 
• The new materials developed opens new avenues for smart materials because of their dynamic and adaptive nature. 
• Hence, they would be useful as recyclable polymers for the energy and biotechnology sector.
• The scientists have shown that such bio-inspired structures are formed by assembling transient dormant monomeric molecules (basic units of polymers) by coupling them to a reduction-oxidation reaction network. 
• They form a chemical entity called supramolecular polymers with strikingly dynamic properties. 
• The properties arise because they are connected by non-covalent bonds, which are reversible bonds that hold their chains together. 
• These dynamic properties open up prospects of many new applications of these materials.

Key Facts

Reduction–oxidation (redox) processes are central to many biological functions

• Cellular functions like growth, motility, and navigations depend on assembling of biopolymers whose dynamic behavior is linked to a redox reaction in which enzymes are involved.
• Scientists of JNCASR have also developed a synthetic mimic of such redox-active biological assemblies, with precise structure and dynamics that can be manipulated.
• Nature synthesizes these biopolymers controlling their size and disparity to regulate their functions, without which their sophistication and efficacy are affected.
• Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Science and Research (JNCASR) is an autonomous institution of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).