In a universe that is dominated by increasing entropy, living organisms are
a curious anomaly. The organization that distinguishes Living organisms fr
om their inanimate surroundings relies upon their ability to execute vector
ial processes, such as directed movements and the assembly of macromolecule
s and organelle systems. Many of these phenomena are executed by molecular
motors that harness chemical potential energy to perform mechanical work an
d unidirectional motion. This article explores how these remarkable protein
machines might have evolved and what roles they could play in biological a
nd medical research in the coming decades.