Molecular motors are sophisticated protein complexes that transform chemical energy into directed mechanical motion, underpinning critical cellular processes such as intracellular transport, cell division, and muscle contraction. Operating far from equilibrium, these motors challenge classical thermodynamic descriptions, necessitating frameworks like stochastic thermodynamics and fluctuation theorems to describe their energy conversion, efficiency, and entropy production quantitatively. This review synthesizes theoretical understandings of molecular motor operation, highlighting the integration of stochastic thermodynamics with computational simulations and cutting-edge experimental techniques, including nanopore-based single-molecule measurements. Key topics discussed include mechanisms of motion, thermodynamic efficiency, performance trade-offs, and the essential role of entropy production in maintaining directionality. Finally, we identify unresolved challenges and suggest future research directions to deepen our fundamental insights and enhance practical applications in biotechnology and nanotechnology.
Research Article
Open Access