Encapsulation of small molecules in molecular containers able to release them in a controlled way in order to perform specific tasks (e.g. catalysis or drug delivery) constitutes an idea that has been around for several years. Light is becoming a perfect external stimulus to control the behaviour of molecular capsules. Photocontrol is a clean and reliable technique, allowing reversibility of the processes in many cases. In addition, researchers in this field are moving from mere function description of the capsules to a deeper understanding of the processes governing these systems. We have compiled a selection of reported studies and highlighted the most relevant findings in this rapidly developing field.

Self-assembled cyclodextrin (CD)–DNA nanoparticles (CDplexes) exhibiting transfection efficiencies significantly higher than PEI-based polyplexes have been prepared from homogeneous seven-fold symmetric polyaminothiourea amphiphiles constructed on a β-cyclodextrin scaffold.