Sustained ATP‐Concentration Gradients Control Self‐Assembly Under Macroscopic Nonequilibrium Conditions

Herein, we demonstrate that complex patterns of ATP‐concentration gradients can be rationally established in a hydrogel by locally injecting enzymes that up‐ or downregulate ATP‐concentrations. The patterns are sustained in time as a result of energy consumption by the enzymes resulting in the formation of a macroscopic nonequilibrium (pseudo‐) steady state. The ATP‐concentration gradients are exploited to locally activate ATP‐responsive chemical processes. Displacement of a fluorescent probe from functionalized gold nanoparticles results in fluorescent patterns that can be dynamically modulated by in situ local alteration of enzyme activity. The ATP‐templated assembly of surfactants can be confined to certain areas of the gel using enzymes to install “boundaries” for ATP‐diffusion.