The interdisciplinary approach of scientists, who combine knowledge from the natural sciences, engineering and informatics in the design and synthesis of molecules, makes possible the exploration of the limits of miniaturization, operation and efficiency for both natural and artificial machines. The aim is to be able to routinely design molecules or systems with desired physicochemical or physiological properties. This symposium brings together scientists from different disciplines to discuss, from their own points of view, the contemporary state and future perspectives in molecular engineering and control.