1
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Iacovacci V, Diller E, Ahmed D, Menciassi A. Medical Microrobots. Annu Rev Biomed Eng 2024; 26:561-591. [PMID: 38594937 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-bioeng-081523-033131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Scientists around the world have long aimed to produce miniature robots that can be controlled inside the human body to aid doctors in identifying and treating diseases. Such microrobots hold the potential to access hard-to-reach areas of the body through the natural lumina. Wireless access has the potential to overcome drawbacks of systemic therapy, as well as to enable completely new minimally invasive procedures. The aim of this review is fourfold: first, to provide a collection of valuable anatomical and physiological information on the target working environments together with engineering tools for the design of medical microrobots; second, to provide a comprehensive updated survey of the technological state of the art in relevant classes of medical microrobots; third, to analyze currently available tracking and closed-loop control strategies compatible with the in-body environment; and fourth, to explore the challenges still in place, to steer and inspire future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Iacovacci
- Department of Excellence Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; ,
| | - Eric Diller
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Robotics Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Arianna Menciassi
- Department of Excellence Robotics & AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy; ,
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2
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Chen T, Cai Y, Ren B, Sánchez BJ, Dong R. Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2024; 11:2772-2801. [PMID: 38597188 DOI: 10.1039/d4mh00114a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on natural materials as biotemplates are considered to be some of the most promising robots in the future in the microscopic field. Due to the advantages of biotemplates such as unique structure, abundant resources, environmental friendliness, easy removal, low price, easy access, and renewability, intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates can be endowed with both excellent biomaterial activity and unique structural morphology through biotemplates themselves and specific functions through artificial micro/nanotechnology. Thus, intelligent micro/nanorobots show excellent application potential in various fields from biomedical applications to environmental remediation. In this review, we introduce the advantages of using natural biological materials as biotemplates to build intelligent micro/nanorobots, and then, classify the micro/nanorobots according to different types of biotemplates, systematically detail their preparation strategies and summarize their application prospects. Finally, in order to further advance the development of intelligent micro/nanorobots, we discuss the current challenges and future prospects of biotemplates. Intelligent micro/nanorobots based on biotemplates are a perfect combination of natural biotemplates and micro/nanotechnology, which is an important trend for the future development of micro/nanorobots. We hope this review can provide useful references for developing more intelligent, efficient and safe micro/nanorobots in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Chen
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Yuepeng Cai
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Biye Ren
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
| | - Beatriz Jurado Sánchez
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares, E-28802 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Renfeng Dong
- School of Chemistry, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Materials, Chemistry of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes Lingnan Normal University Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524048, P. R. China
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3
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Striggow F, Ribeiro C, Aziz A, Nauber R, Hebenstreit F, Schmidt OG, Medina-Sánchez M. Magnetotactic Sperm Cells for Assisted Reproduction. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2310288. [PMID: 38150615 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202310288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Biohybrid micromotors are active microscopic agents consisting of biological and synthetic components that are being developed as novel tools for biomedical applications. By capturing motile sperm cells within engineered microstructures, they can be controlled remotely while being propelled forward by the flagellar beat. This makes them an interesting tool for reproductive medicine that can enable minimally invasive sperm cell delivery to the oocyte in vivo, as a treatment for infertility. The generation of sperm-based micromotors in sufficiently large numbers, as they are required in biomedical applications has been challenging, either due to the employed fabrication techniques or the stability of the microstructure-sperm coupling. Here, biohybrid micromotors, which can be assembled in a fast and simple process using magnetic microparticles, are presented. These magnetotactic sperm cells show a high motility and swimming speed and can be transferred between different environments without large detrimental effects on sperm motility and membrane integrity. Furthermore, clusters of micromotors are assembled magnetically and visualized using dual ultrasound (US)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging. Finally, a protocol for the scaled-up assembly of micromotors and their purification for use in in vitro fertilization (IVF) is presented, bringing them closer to their biomedical implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Friedrich Striggow
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Carla Ribeiro
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Azaam Aziz
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Richard Nauber
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Franziska Hebenstreit
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Faculty of Physics, TU Dresden, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Emerging Electronic Technologies, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Technische Universität Dresden, 01307, Dresden, Germany
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4
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Simó C, Serra-Casablancas M, Hortelao AC, Di Carlo V, Guallar-Garrido S, Plaza-García S, Rabanal RM, Ramos-Cabrer P, Yagüe B, Aguado L, Bardia L, Tosi S, Gómez-Vallejo V, Martín A, Patiño T, Julián E, Colombelli J, Llop J, Sánchez S. Urease-powered nanobots for radionuclide bladder cancer therapy. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:554-564. [PMID: 38225356 PMCID: PMC11026160 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01577-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
Bladder cancer treatment via intravesical drug administration achieves reasonable survival rates but suffers from low therapeutic efficacy. To address the latter, self-propelled nanoparticles or nanobots have been proposed, taking advantage of their enhanced diffusion and mixing capabilities in urine when compared with conventional drugs or passive nanoparticles. However, the translational capabilities of nanobots in treating bladder cancer are underexplored. Here, we tested radiolabelled mesoporous silica-based urease-powered nanobots in an orthotopic mouse model of bladder cancer. In vivo and ex vivo results demonstrated enhanced nanobot accumulation at the tumour site, with an eightfold increase revealed by positron emission tomography in vivo. Label-free optical contrast based on polarization-dependent scattered light-sheet microscopy of cleared bladders confirmed tumour penetration by nanobots ex vivo. Treating tumour-bearing mice with intravesically administered radio-iodinated nanobots for radionuclide therapy resulted in a tumour size reduction of about 90%, positioning nanobots as efficient delivery nanosystems for bladder cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Simó
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Radiology, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St Louis, MO, USA
| | - Meritxell Serra-Casablancas
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana C Hortelao
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Valerio Di Carlo
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Guallar-Garrido
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Plaza-García
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Rosa Maria Rabanal
- Unitat de Patologia Murina i Comparada, Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pedro Ramos-Cabrer
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Balbino Yagüe
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Laura Aguado
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Biomarkers of Inflammation, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
| | - Lídia Bardia
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sébastien Tosi
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty Of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vanessa Gómez-Vallejo
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Abraham Martín
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- Laboratory of Neuroimaging and Biomarkers of Inflammation, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, Leioa, Spain
| | - Tania Patiño
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain
- Biomedical Engineering Department, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Julián
- Departament de Genètica i de Microbiologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julien Colombelli
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jordi Llop
- Center for Cooperative Research in Biomaterials (CIC biomaGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain.
| | - Samuel Sánchez
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology (BIST), Barcelona, Spain.
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain.
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5
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Huang H, Yang S, Ying Y, Chen X, Puigmartí-Luis J, Zhang L, Pané S. 3D Motion Manipulation for Micro- and Nanomachines: Progress and Future Directions. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2305925. [PMID: 37801654 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, micro- and nanomachines (MNMs) have made outstanding achievements in the fields of targeted drug delivery, tumor therapy, microsurgery, biological detection, and environmental monitoring and remediation. Researchers have made significant efforts to accelerate the rapid development of MNMs capable of moving through fluids by means of different energy sources (chemical reactions, ultrasound, light, electricity, magnetism, heat, or their combinations). However, the motion of MNMs is primarily investigated in confined two-dimensional (2D) horizontal setups. Furthermore, three-dimensional (3D) motion control remains challenging, especially for vertical movement and control, significantly limiting its potential applications in cargo transportation, environmental remediation, and biotherapy. Hence, an urgent need is to develop MNMs that can overcome self-gravity and controllably move in 3D spaces. This review delves into the latest progress made in MNMs with 3D motion capabilities under different manipulation approaches, discusses the underlying motion mechanisms, explores potential design concepts inspired by nature for controllable 3D motion in MNMs, and presents the available 3D observation and tracking systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Huang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Shihao Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Yulong Ying
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Xiangzhong Chen
- Institute of Optoelectronics, State Key Laboratory of Photovoltaic Science and Technology, Shanghai Frontiers Science Research Base of Intelligent Optoelectronics and Perception, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Josep Puigmartí-Luis
- Departament de Ciència dels Materials i Química Física, Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional, University of Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, 08028, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, Barcelona, 08010, Spain
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Salvador Pané
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zürich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zürich, CH-8092, Switzerland
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6
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Zheng J, Huang R, Lin Z, Chen S, Yuan K. Nano/Micromotors for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy: Innovative Designs to Improve Biocompatibility. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:44. [PMID: 38258055 PMCID: PMC10821023 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Nano/micromotors are artificial robots at the nano/microscale that are capable of transforming energy into mechanical movement. In cancer diagnosis or therapy, such "tiny robots" show great promise for targeted drug delivery, cell removal/killing, and even related biomarker sensing. Yet biocompatibility is still the most critical challenge that restricts such techniques from transitioning from the laboratory to clinical applications. In this review, we emphasize the biocompatibility aspect of nano/micromotors to show the great efforts made by researchers to promote their clinical application, mainly including non-toxic fuel propulsion (inorganic catalysts, enzyme, etc.), bio-hybrid designs, ultrasound propulsion, light-triggered propulsion, magnetic propulsion, dual propulsion, and, in particular, the cooperative swarm-based strategy for increasing therapeutic effects. Future challenges in translating nano/micromotors into real applications and the potential directions for increasing biocompatibility are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahuan Zheng
- Department of Chemistry, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China;
| | - Rui Huang
- Bio-Analytical Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (R.H.); (Z.L.)
| | - Zhexuan Lin
- Bio-Analytical Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (R.H.); (Z.L.)
| | - Shaoqi Chen
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Kaisong Yuan
- Bio-Analytical Laboratory, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (R.H.); (Z.L.)
- Department of Ultrasound, First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
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7
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Bozuyuk U, Yildiz E, Han M, Demir SO, Sitti M. Size-Dependent Locomotion Ability of Surface Microrollers on Physiologically Relevant Microtopographical Surfaces. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2303396. [PMID: 37488686 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202303396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Controlled microrobotic navigation inside the body possesses significant potential for various biomedical engineering applications. Successful application requires considering imaging, control, and biocompatibility. Interaction with biological environments is also a crucial factor in ensuring safe application, but can also pose counterintuitive hydrodynamic barriers, limiting the use of microrobots. Surface rolling microrobots or surface microrollers is a robust microrobotic platform with significant potential for various applications; however, conventional spherical microrollers have limited locomotion ability over biological surfaces due to microtopography effects resulting from cell microtopography in the size range of 2-5 µm. Here, the impact of the microtopography effect on spherical microrollers of different sizes (5, 10, 25, and 50 µm) is investigated using computational fluid dynamics simulations and experiments. Simulations revealed that the microtopography effect becomes insignificant for increasing microroller sizes, such as 50 µm. Moreover, it is demonstrated that 50 µm microrollers exhibited smooth locomotion ability on in vitro cell layers and inside blood vessels of a chicken embryo model. These findings offer rational design principles for surface microrollers for their potential practical biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Bozuyuk
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Erdost Yildiz
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Mertcan Han
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Sinan Ozgun Demir
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
- School of Medicine and School of Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
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8
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Del Campo Fonseca A, Glück C, Droux J, Ferry Y, Frei C, Wegener S, Weber B, El Amki M, Ahmed D. Ultrasound trapping and navigation of microrobots in the mouse brain vasculature. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5889. [PMID: 37735158 PMCID: PMC10514062 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41557-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The intricate and delicate anatomy of the brain poses significant challenges for the treatment of cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, precise local drug delivery in hard-to-reach brain regions remains an urgent medical need. Microrobots offer potential solutions; however, their functionality in the brain remains restricted by limited imaging capabilities and complications within blood vessels, such as high blood flows, osmotic pressures, and cellular responses. Here, we introduce ultrasound-activated microrobots for in vivo navigation in brain vasculature. Our microrobots consist of lipid-shelled microbubbles that autonomously aggregate and propel under ultrasound irradiation. We investigate their capacities in vitro within microfluidic-based vasculatures and in vivo within vessels of a living mouse brain. These microrobots self-assemble and execute upstream motion in brain vasculature, achieving velocities up to 1.5 µm/s and moving against blood flows of ~10 mm/s. This work represents a substantial advance towards the therapeutic application of microrobots within the complex brain vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Del Campo Fonseca
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803, Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Chaim Glück
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jeanne Droux
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Yann Ferry
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803, Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Carole Frei
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803, Rüschlikon, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Wegener
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland
| | - Bruno Weber
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mohamad El Amki
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital and University of Zurich, and Zurich Neuroscience Center, Zurich, 8091, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803, Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
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9
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Liu C, Chen J, Liang J, Xu T, Zhang X. Advancements in artificial micro/nanomotors for nucleic acid biosensing: a review of recent progress. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:13172-13186. [PMID: 37548348 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr02443a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Artificial micro/nanomotors represent a class of well-designed tools that exhibit dynamic motion and remote-control capabilities, endowing them with the capacity to perform complex tasks at the micro/nanoscale. Their utilization in nucleic acid biosensing has been paid significant attention, owing to their ability to facilitate targeted delivery of detection probes to designated sites and enhance hybridization between detection probes and target nucleic acids, thereby improving the sensitivity and specificity of biosensing. Within this comprehensive overview, we elucidate the advancement of nucleic acid biosensing through the integration of micro/nanomotors over the past decade. In particular, we provide an in-depth exploration of the diverse applications of micro/nanomotors in nucleic acid biosensing, including fluorescence recovery-based biosensing, velocity change-based biosensing, and aggregation-enhanced biosensing. Additionally, we outline the remaining challenges that impede the practical application of artificial micro/nanomotors in nucleic acid detection, and offer personal insights into prospective avenues for future development. By overcoming these obstacles, we anticipate that artificial micro/nanomotors will revolutionize conventional nucleic acid detection methodologies, providing enhanced sensitivity and reduced diagnostic timeframes, thereby facilitating more effective disease diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conghui Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Jingyu Chen
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Jiahui Liang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
| | - Tailin Xu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Xueji Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China.
- Guangdong Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Economy (SZ), Shenzhen, 518060, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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10
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Abstract
Untethered robots in the size range of micro/nano-scale offer unprecedented access to hard-to-reach areas of the body. In these challenging environments, autonomous task completion capabilities of micro/nanorobots have been the subject of research in recent years. However, most of the studies have presented preliminary in vitro results that can significantly differ under in vivo settings. Here, we focus on the studies conducted with animal models to reveal the current status of micro/nanorobotic applications in real-world conditions. By a categorization based on target locations, we highlight the main strategies employed in organs and other body parts. We also discuss key challenges that require interest before the successful translation of micro/nanorobots to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagatay M Oral
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Pumera
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, 61200, Brno, Czech Republic.
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, 70800, Ostrava, Czech Republic
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11
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Aziz A, Nauber R, Iglesias AS, Tang M, Ma L, Liz-Marzán LM, Schmidt OG, Medina-Sánchez M. Nanomaterial-decorated micromotors for enhanced photoacoustic imaging. JOURNAL OF MICRO-BIO ROBOTICS 2023; 19:37-45. [PMID: 38161388 PMCID: PMC10756870 DOI: 10.1007/s12213-023-00156-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Micro-and nanorobots have the potential to perform non-invasive drug delivery, sensing, and surgery in living organisms, with the aid of diverse medical imaging techniques. To perform such actions, microrobots require high spatiotemporal resolution tracking with real-time closed-loop feedback. To that end, photoacoustic imaging has appeared as a promising technique for imaging microrobots in deep tissue with higher molecular specificity and contrast. Here, we present different strategies to track magnetically-driven micromotors with improved contrast and specificity using dedicated contrast agents (Au nanorods and nanostars). Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of improving the light absorption properties of the employed nanomaterials considering possible light scattering and coupling to the underlying metal-oxide layers on the micromotor's surface. For that, 2D COMSOL simulation and experimental results were correlated, confirming that an increased spacing between the Au-nanostructures and the increase of thickness of the underlying oxide layer lead to enhanced light absorption and preservation of the characteristic absorption peak. These characteristics are important when visualizing the micromotors in a complex in vivo environment, to distinguish them from the light absorption properties of the surrounding natural chromophores. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12213-023-00156-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azaam Aziz
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069 Dresden, Saxony Germany
| | - Richard Nauber
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069 Dresden, Saxony Germany
| | - Ana Sánchez Iglesias
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Min Tang
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069 Dresden, Saxony Germany
| | - Libo Ma
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069 Dresden, Saxony Germany
| | - Luis M. Liz-Marzán
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Paseo de Miramon 182, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center for Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine, CIBER-BBN, 20014 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Oliver G. Schmidt
- Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), TU Chemnitz, Reichenhainer Strasse 10, 09107 Chemnitz, Saxony Germany
- School of Science, TU Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Saxony Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069 Dresden, Saxony Germany
- Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Dresden University of Technology, Tatzberg 41, 01062 Dresden, Germany
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12
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Chen Y, Nozdriukhin D, Michel-Souzy S, Padberg C, Wurm FR, Razansky D, Deán-Ben XL, Koshkina O. Biobased Agents for Single-Particle Detection with Optoacoustics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2207199. [PMID: 37021720 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202207199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Optoacoustic (OA, photoacoustic) imaging synergistically combines rich optical contrast with the resolution of ultrasound within light-scattering biological tissues. Contrast agents have become essential to boost deep-tissue OA sensitivity and fully exploit the capabilities of state-of-the-art OA imaging systems, thus facilitating the clinical translation of this modality. Inorganic particles with sizes of several microns can also be individually localized and tracked, thus enabling new applications in drug delivery, microrobotics, or super-resolution imaging. However, significant concerns have been raised regarding the low bio-degradability and potential toxic effects of inorganic particles. Bio-based, biodegradable nano- and microcapsules consisting of an aqueous core with clinically-approved indocyanine green (ICG) and a cross-linked casein shell obtained in an inverse emulsion approach are introduced. The feasibility to provide contrast-enhanced in vivo OA imaging with nanocapsules as well as localizing and tracking individual larger microcapsules of 4-5 µm is demonstrated. All components of the developed capsules are safe for human use and the inverse emulsion approach is known to be compatible with a variety of shell materials and payloads. Hence, the enhanced OA imaging performance can be exploited in multiple biomedical studies and can open a route to clinical approval of agents detectable at a single-particle level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunbo Chen
- Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, Department of Molecules and Materials, Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
- Key Lab of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, P. R. China
| | - Daniil Nozdriukhin
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Winterturenstraße 190, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Sandra Michel-Souzy
- Biomolecular Nanotechnology, Department of Molecules and Materials, Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
| | - Clemens Padberg
- Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, Department of Molecules and Materials, Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
| | - Frederik R Wurm
- Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, Department of Molecules and Materials, Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Winterturenstraße 190, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Xosé Luís Deán-Ben
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zürich, Winterturenstraße 190, Zürich, 8057, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Str. 27, Zürich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Olga Koshkina
- Sustainable Polymer Chemistry, Department of Molecules and Materials, Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Drienerlolaan 5, Enschede, 7522NB, The Netherlands
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13
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Sridhar V, Yildiz E, Rodríguez-Camargo A, Lyu X, Yao L, Wrede P, Aghakhani A, Akolpoglu BM, Podjaski F, Lotsch BV, Sitti M. Designing Covalent Organic Framework-Based Light-Driven Microswimmers toward Therapeutic Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2301126. [PMID: 37003701 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202301126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
While micromachines with tailored functionalities enable therapeutic applications in biological environments, their controlled motion and targeted drug delivery in biological media require sophisticated designs for practical applications. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), a new generation of crystalline and nanoporous polymers, offer new perspectives for light-driven microswimmers in heterogeneous biological environments including intraocular fluids, thus setting the stage for biomedical applications such as retinal drug delivery. Two different types of COFs, uniformly spherical TABP-PDA-COF sub-micrometer particles and texturally nanoporous, micrometer-sized TpAzo-COF particles are described and compared as light-driven microrobots. They can be used as highly efficient visible-light-driven drug carriers in aqueous ionic and cellular media. Their absorption ranging down to red light enables phototaxis even in deeper and viscous biological media, while the organic nature of COFs ensures their biocompatibility. Their inherently porous structures with ≈2.6 and ≈3.4 nm pores, and large surface areas allow for targeted and efficient drug loading even for insoluble drugs, which can be released on demand. Additionally, indocyanine green (ICG) dye loading in the pores enables photoacoustic imaging, optical coherence tomography, and hyperthermia in operando conditions. This real-time visualization of the drug-loaded COF microswimmers enables unique insights into the action of photoactive porous drug carriers for therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Sridhar
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Erdost Yildiz
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Andrés Rodríguez-Camargo
- Nanochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Xianglong Lyu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Liang Yao
- Nanochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Paul Wrede
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Birgul M Akolpoglu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Filip Podjaski
- Nanochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, Imperial College London, W12 0BZ, London, UK
| | - Bettina V Lotsch
- Nanochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Stuttgart, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence e-conversion, 85748, Lichtenbergstrasse 4, Garching, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Munich (LMU), 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koç University, 34450, Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Oral CM, Ussia M, Urso M, Salat J, Novobilsky A, Stefanik M, Ruzek D, Pumera M. Radiopaque Nanorobots as Magnetically Navigable Contrast Agents for Localized In Vivo Imaging of the Gastrointestinal Tract. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202682. [PMID: 36502367 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Magnetic nanorobots offer wireless navigation capability in hard-to-reach areas of the human body for targeted therapy and diagnosis. Though in vivo imaging is required for guidance of the magnetic nanorobots toward the target areas, most of the imaging techniques are inadequate to reveal the potential locomotion routes. This work proposes the use of radiopaque magnetic nanorobots along with microcomputed tomography (microCT) for localized in vivo imaging applications. The nanorobots consist of a contrast agent, barium sulfate (BaSO4 ), magnetized by the decoration of magnetite (Fe3 O4 ) particles. The magnetic features lead to actuation under rotating magnetic fields and enable precise navigation in a microfluidic channel used to simulate confined spaces of the body. In this channel, the intrinsic radiopacity of the nanorobots also provides the possibility to reveal the internal structures by X-ray contrast. Furthermore, in vitro analysis indicates nontoxicity of the nanorobots. In vivo experiments demonstrate localization of the nanorobots in a specific part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract upon the influence of the magnetic field, indicating the efficient control even in the presence of natural peristaltic movements. The nanorobots reported here highlight that smart nanorobotic contrast agents can improve the current imaging-based diagnosis techniques by providing untethered controllability in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cagatay M Oral
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, Brno, CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Ussia
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, Brno, CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Mario Urso
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, Brno, CZ-61200, Czech Republic
| | - Jiri Salat
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno, CZ-62100, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, CZ-37005, Czech Republic
| | - Adam Novobilsky
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno, CZ-62100, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Stefanik
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno, CZ-62100, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1665/1, Brno, CZ-61300, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 296/70, Brno, CZ-62100, Czech Republic
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, CZ-37005, Czech Republic
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, Brno, CZ-62500, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Pumera
- Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkynova 123, Brno, CZ-61200, Czech Republic
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, TW-40402, Taiwan
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, 17. listopadu 2172/15, Ostrava, CZ-70800, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, KR-03722, Korea
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15
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Nauber R, Goudu SR, Goeckenjan M, Bornhäuser M, Ribeiro C, Medina-Sánchez M. Medical microrobots in reproductive medicine from the bench to the clinic. Nat Commun 2023; 14:728. [PMID: 36759511 PMCID: PMC9911761 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-36215-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Medical microrobotics is an emerging field that aims at non-invasive diagnosis and therapy inside the human body through miniaturized sensors and actuators. Such microrobots can be tethered (e.g., smart microcatheters, microendoscopes) or untethered (e.g., cell-based drug delivery systems). Active motion and multiple functionalities, distinguishing microrobots from mere passive carriers and conventional nanomedicines, can be achieved through external control with physical fields such as magnetism or ultrasound. Here we give an overview of the key challenges in the field of assisted reproduction and how these new technologies could, in the future, enable assisted fertilization in vivo and enhance embryo implantation. As a case study, we describe a potential intervention in the case of recurrent embryo implantation failure, which involves the non-invasive delivery of an early embryo back to the fertilization site using magnetically-controlled microrobots. As the embryo will be in contact with the secretory oviduct fluid, it can develop under natural conditions and in synchrony with the endometrium preparation. We discuss the potential microrobot designs, including a proper selection of materials and processes, envisioning their translation from bench to animal studies and human medicine. Finally, we highlight regulatory and ethical considerations for bringing this technology to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Nauber
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE) Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sandhya R Goudu
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE) Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Maren Goeckenjan
- Medical Clinic I, University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Martin Bornhäuser
- Medical Clinic I, University Hospital, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.,National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT/UCC), Dresden, Germany
| | - Carla Ribeiro
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE) Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE) Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany. .,Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Dresden University of Technology, 01062, Dresden, Germany.
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16
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Choi W, Park B, Choi S, Oh D, Kim J, Kim C. Recent Advances in Contrast-Enhanced Photoacoustic Imaging: Overcoming the Physical and Practical Challenges. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 36642892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
For decades now, photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has been investigated to realize its potential as a niche biomedical imaging modality. Despite its highly desirable optical contrast and ultrasonic spatiotemporal resolution, PAI is challenged by such physical limitations as a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), diminished image contrast due to strong optical attenuation, and a lower-bound on spatial resolution in deep tissue. In addition, contrast-enhanced PAI has faced practical limitations such as insufficient cell-specific targeting due to low delivery efficiency and difficulties in developing clinically translatable agents. Identifying these limitations is essential to the continuing expansion of the field, and substantial advances in developing contrast-enhancing agents, complemented by high-performance image acquisition systems, have synergistically dealt with the challenges of conventional PAI. This review covers the past four years of research on pushing the physical and practical challenges of PAI in terms of SNR/contrast, spatial resolution, targeted delivery, and clinical application. Promising strategies for dealing with each challenge are reviewed in detail, and future research directions for next generation contrast-enhanced PAI are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wonseok Choi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Byullee Park
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongwook Choi
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Donghyeon Oh
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongbeom Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Chulhong Kim
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Convergence IT Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Medical Science and Engineering, Graduate School of Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Device Innovation Center, Pohang University of Science and Technology, 77 Cheongam-Ro, Nam-Gu, Pohang37673, Republic of Korea
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17
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Rajabasadi F, Moreno S, Fichna K, Aziz A, Appelhans D, Schmidt OG, Medina-Sánchez M. Multifunctional 4D-Printed Sperm-Hybrid Microcarriers for Assisted Reproduction. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2204257. [PMID: 36189842 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Remotely controllable microrobots are appealing for various biomedical in vivo applications. In particular, in recent years, our group has focused on developing sperm-microcarriers to assist sperm cells with motion deficiencies or low sperm count (two of the most prominent male infertility problems) to reach the oocyte toward in-vivo-assisted fertilization. Different sperm carriers, considering their motion in realistic media and confined environments, have been optimized. However, the already-reported sperm carriers have been mainly designed to transport single sperm cell, with limited functionality. Thus, to take a step forward, here, the development of a 4D-printed multifunctional microcarrier containing soft and smart materials is reported. These microcarriers can not only transport and deliver multiple motile sperm cells, but also release heparin and mediate local enzymatic reactions by hyaluronidase-loaded polymersomes (HYAL-Psomes). These multifunctional facets enable in situ sperm capacitation/hyperactivation, and the local degradation of the cumulus complex that surrounds the oocyte, both to facilitate the sperm-oocyte interaction for the ultimate goal of in vivo assisted fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Rajabasadi
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Bioactive and Responsive Polymers, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Silvia Moreno
- Bioactive and Responsive Polymers, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kristin Fichna
- Bioactive and Responsive Polymers, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Azaam Aziz
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Dietmar Appelhans
- Bioactive and Responsive Polymers, Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research, 01069, Dresden, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures, and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Nanophysics, Faculty of Physics, School of Science, Dresden University of Technology, 01062, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mariana Medina-Sánchez
- Micro- and NanoBiomedical Engineering Group (MNBE), Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research (IFW), 01069, Dresden, Germany
- Chair of Micro- and NanoSystems, Center for Molecular Bioengineering (B CUBE), Dresden University of Technology, 01062, Dresden, Germany
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18
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Wang J, Dong Y, Ma P, Wang Y, Zhang F, Cai B, Chen P, Liu BF. Intelligent Micro-/Nanorobots for Cancer Theragnostic. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201051. [PMID: 35385160 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the most intractable diseases owing to its high mortality rate and lack of effective diagnostic and treatment tools. Advancements in micro-/nanorobot (MNR)-assisted sensing, imaging, and therapeutics offer unprecedented opportunities to develop MNR-based cancer theragnostic platforms. Unlike ordinary nanoparticles, which exhibit Brownian motion in biofluids, MNRs overcome viscous resistance in an ultralow Reynolds number (Re << 1) environment by effective self-propulsion. This unique locomotion property has motivated the advanced design and functionalization of MNRs as a basis for next-generation cancer-therapy platforms, which offer the potential for precise distribution and improved permeation of therapeutic agents. Enhanced barrier penetration, imaging-guided operation, and biosensing are additionally studied to enable the promising cancer-related applications of MNRs. Herein, the recent advances in MNR-based cancer therapy are comprehensively addresses, including actuation engines, diagnostics, medical imaging, and targeted drug delivery; promising research opportunities that can have a profound impact on cancer therapy over the next decade is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yue Dong
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Peng Ma
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Yu Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Fangyu Zhang
- Department of Nano Engineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Bocheng Cai
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Peng Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
| | - Bi-Feng Liu
- The Key Laboratory for Biomedical Photonics of MOE at Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics - Hubei Bioinformatics and Molecular Imaging Key Laboratory, Systems Biology Theme, Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, P. R. China
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19
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Zhang Z, Sukhov A, Harting J, Malgaretti P, Ahmed D. Rolling microswarms along acoustic virtual walls. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7347. [PMID: 36446799 PMCID: PMC9708833 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35078-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Rolling is a ubiquitous transport mode utilized by living organisms and engineered systems. However, rolling at the microscale has been constrained by the requirement of a physical boundary to break the spatial homogeneity of surrounding mediums, which limits its prospects for navigation to locations with no boundaries. Here, in the absence of real boundaries, we show that microswarms can execute rolling along virtual walls in liquids, impelled by a combination of magnetic and acoustic fields. A rotational magnetic field causes individual particles to self-assemble and rotate, while the pressure nodes of an acoustic standing wave field serve as virtual walls. The acoustic radiation force pushes the microswarms towards a virtual wall and provides the reaction force needed to break their fore-aft motion symmetry and induce rolling along arbitrary trajectories. The concept of reconfigurable virtual walls overcomes the fundamental limitation of a physical boundary being required for universal rolling movements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyuan Zhang
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Acoustic Robotics Systems Laboratory, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8803 Switzerland
| | - Alexander Sukhov
- grid.8385.60000 0001 2297 375XHelmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Erlangen, 91058 Germany
| | - Jens Harting
- grid.8385.60000 0001 2297 375XHelmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Erlangen, 91058 Germany ,grid.5330.50000 0001 2107 3311Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and Department of Physics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Nuremberg, 90429 Germany
| | - Paolo Malgaretti
- grid.8385.60000 0001 2297 375XHelmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nürnberg for Renewable Energy (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Erlangen, 91058 Germany
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- grid.5801.c0000 0001 2156 2780Acoustic Robotics Systems Laboratory, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8803 Switzerland
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20
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Zhou H, Yuan Y, Wang Z, Ren Z, Hu M, Lu J, Gao H, Pan C, Zhao W, Zhu B. Co-delivery of doxorubicin and quercetin by Janus Hollow Silica Nanomotors for overcoming multidrug resistance in breast MCF-7/Adr cells. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.130654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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21
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Middelhoek K, Magdanz V, Abelmann L, Khalil I. Drug-loaded IRONSperm clusters: modeling, wireless actuation, and ultrasound imaging. Biomed Mater 2022; 17. [PMID: 35985314 DOI: 10.1088/1748-605x/ac8b4b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Individual biohybrid microrobots have the potential to perform biomedical in vivo tasks such as remote-controlled drug and cell delivery and minimally invasive surgery. This work demonstrates the formation of biohybrid sperm-templated clusters under the influence of an external magnetic field and essential functionalities for wireless actuation and drug delivery. Ferromagnetic nanoparticles are electrostatically assembled around dead sperm cells, and the resulting nanoparticle-coated cells are magnetically assembled into threedimensional biohybrid clusters. The aim of this clustering is threefold: First, to enable rolling locomotion on a nearby solid boundary using a rotating magnetic field; second, to allow for noninvasive localization; third, to load the cells inside the cluster with drugs for targeted delivery. A magneto-hydrodynamic model captures the rotational response of the clusters in a viscous fluid, and predicts an upper bound for their step-out frequency, which is independent of their volume or aspect ratio. Below the step-out frequency, the rolling velocity of the clusters increases nonlinearly with their perimeter and actuation frequency. During rolling locomotion, the clusters are localized using ultrasound at a relatively large distance, which makes these biohybrid clusters promising for deep-tissue applications. Finally, we show that the estimated drug load scales with the number of cells in the cluster and can be retained for more than 10 hours. The aggregation of microrobots enables them to collectively roll in a predictable way in response to an external rotating magnetic field, and enhances ultrasound detectability and drug loading capacity compared to the individual microrobots. The favorable features of biohybrid microrobot clusters place emphasis on the importance of the investigation and development of collective microrobots and their potential for in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaz Middelhoek
- Biomechanical Engineering , University of Twente, University of Twente, Enschede, Enschede, 7500 AE, NETHERLANDS
| | - Veronika Magdanz
- Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Institute for Bioengineering in Catalonia, Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalunya, 08028, SPAIN
| | - Leon Abelmann
- MESA Research Institute, University of Twente, SMI, PO Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, THE NETHERLANDS, Enschede, Overijssel, 7500 AE, NETHERLANDS
| | - Islam Khalil
- Biomechanical Engineering , University of Twente, University of Twente, Enschede, Enschede, 7500 AE, NETHERLANDS
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22
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Kaya M, Stein F, Padmanaban P, Zhang Z, Rouwkema J, Khalil ISM, Misra S. Visualization of micro-agents and surroundings by real-time multicolor fluorescence microscopy. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13375. [PMID: 35927294 PMCID: PMC9352757 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-17297-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Optical microscopy techniques are a popular choice for visualizing micro-agents. They generate images with relatively high spatiotemporal resolution but do not reveal encoded information for distinguishing micro-agents and surroundings. This study presents multicolor fluorescence microscopy for rendering color-coded identification of mobile micro-agents and dynamic surroundings by spectral unmixing. We report multicolor microscopy performance by visualizing the attachment of single and cluster micro-agents to cancer spheroids formed with HeLa cells as a proof-of-concept for targeted drug delivery demonstration. A microfluidic chip is developed to immobilize a single spheroid for the attachment, provide a stable environment for multicolor microscopy, and create a 3D tumor model. In order to confirm that multicolor microscopy is able to visualize micro-agents in vascularized environments, in vitro vasculature network formed with endothelial cells and ex ovo chicken chorioallantoic membrane are employed as experimental models. Full visualization of our models is achieved by sequential excitation of the fluorophores in a round-robin manner and synchronous individual image acquisition from three-different spectrum bands. We experimentally demonstrate that multicolor microscopy spectrally decomposes micro-agents, organic bodies (cancer spheroids and vasculatures), and surrounding media utilizing fluorophores with well-separated spectrum characteristics and allows image acquisition with 1280 [Formula: see text] 1024 pixels up to 15 frames per second. Our results display that real-time multicolor microscopy provides increased understanding by color-coded visualization regarding the tracking of micro-agents, morphology of organic bodies, and clear distinction of surrounding media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mert Kaya
- Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands. .,Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Fabian Stein
- Vascularization Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Prasanna Padmanaban
- Vascularization Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Zhengya Zhang
- Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Rouwkema
- Vascularization Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Islam S M Khalil
- Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Sarthak Misra
- Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, 7522 NB, Enschede, The Netherlands.,Surgical Robotics Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering and University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV, Groningen, The Netherlands
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23
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Dunleavy JEM, Dinh DT, Filby CE, Green E, Hofstee P, Pini T, Rivers N, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Wijayarathna R, Winstanley YE, Zhou W, Richani D. Reproductive biology research down under: highlights from the Australian and New Zealand Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology, 2021. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:855-866. [PMID: 35836362 DOI: 10.1071/rd22115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Against the backdrop of a global pandemic, the Society for Reproductive Biology (SRB) 2021 meeting reunited the Australian and New Zealand reproductive research community for the first time since 2019 and was the first virtual SRB meeting. Despite the recent global research disruptions, the conference revealed significant advancements in reproductive research, the importance of which span human health, agriculture, and conservation. A core theme was novel technologies, including the use of medical microrobots for therapeutic and sperm delivery, diagnostic hyperspectral imaging, and hydrogel condoms with potential beyond contraception. The importance of challenging the contraceptive status quo was further highlighted with innovations in gene therapies, non-hormonal female contraceptives, epigenetic semen analysis, and in applying evolutionary theory to suppress pest population reproduction. How best to support pregnancies, particularly in the context of global trends of increasing maternal age, was also discussed, with several promising therapies for improved outcomes in assisted reproductive technology, pre-eclampsia, and pre-term birth prevention. The unique insights gained via non-model species was another key focus and presented research emphasised the importance of studying diverse systems to understand fundamental aspects of reproductive biology and evolution. Finally, the meeting highlighted how to effectively translate reproductive research into policy and industry practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica E M Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Doan Thao Dinh
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Caitlin E Filby
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - Ella Green
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Pierre Hofstee
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Taylor Pini
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Qld 4343, Australia
| | - Nicola Rivers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia
| | - David A Skerrett-Byrne
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; and Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton, NSW 2305, Australia
| | - Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia; and Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3800, Australia
| | - Yasmyn E Winstanley
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia; and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Vic. 3052, Australia
| | - Dulama Richani
- Fertility & Research Centre, School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2031, Australia
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24
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Cong Z, Tang S, Xie L, Yang M, Li Y, Lu D, Li J, Yang Q, Chen Q, Zhang Z, Zhang X, Wu S. Magnetic-Powered Janus Cell Robots Loaded with Oncolytic Adenovirus for Active and Targeted Virotherapy of Bladder Cancer. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2201042. [PMID: 35452560 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202201042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A unique robotic medical platform is designed by utilizing cell robots as the active "Trojan horse" of oncolytic adenovirus (OA), capable of tumor-selective binding and killing. The OA-loaded cell robots are fabricated by entirely modifying OA-infected 293T cells with cyclic arginine-glycine-aspartic acid tripeptide (cRGD) to specifically bind with bladder cancer cells, followed by asymmetric immobilization of Fe3 O4 nanoparticles (NPs) on the cell surface. OA can replicate in host cells and induce cytolysis to release the virus progeny to the surrounding tumor sites for sustainable infection and oncolysis. The asymmetric coating of magnetic NPs bestows the cell robots with effective movement in various media and wireless manipulation with directional migration in a microfluidic device and bladder mold under magnetic control, further enabling steerable movement and prolonged retention of cell robots in the mouse bladder. The biorecognition of cRGD and robust, controllable propulsion of cell robots work synergistically to greatly enhance their tissue penetration and anticancer efficacy in the 3D cancer spheroid and orthotopic mouse bladder tumor model. Overall, this study integrates cell-based microrobots with virotherapy to generate an attractive robotic system with tumor specificity, expanding the operation scope of cell robots in biomedical community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoqing Cong
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Songsong Tang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Leiming Xie
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Ming Yang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Yangyang Li
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Dongdong Lu
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Jiahong Li
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Qingxin Yang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhang
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
| | - Xueji Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Song Wu
- Institute of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Following Precision Medical Research Institute, Luohu Hospital Group, Shenzhen, 518000, P. R. China
- South China Hospital, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, P. R. China
- Teaching Center of Shenzhen Luohu Hospital, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515000, P. R. China
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25
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Wrede P, Degtyaruk O, Kalva SK, Deán-Ben XL, Bozuyuk U, Aghakhani A, Akolpoglu B, Sitti M, Razansky D. Real-time 3D optoacoustic tracking of cell-sized magnetic microrobots circulating in the mouse brain vasculature. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm9132. [PMID: 35544570 PMCID: PMC9094653 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm9132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Mobile microrobots hold remarkable potential to revolutionize health care by enabling unprecedented active medical interventions and theranostics, such as active cargo delivery and microsurgical manipulations in hard-to-reach body sites. High-resolution imaging and control of cell-sized microrobots in the in vivo vascular system remains an unsolved challenge toward their clinical use. To overcome this limitation, we propose noninvasive real-time detection and tracking of circulating microrobots using optoacoustic imaging. We devised cell-sized nickel-based spherical Janus magnetic microrobots whose near-infrared optoacoustic signature is enhanced via gold conjugation. The 5-, 10-, and 20-μm-diameter microrobots are detected volumetrically both in bloodless ex vivo tissues and under real-life conditions with a strongly light-absorbing blood background. We further demonstrate real-time three-dimensional tracking and magnetic manipulation of the microrobots circulating in murine cerebral vasculature, thus paving the way toward effective and safe operation of cell-sized microrobots in challenging and clinically relevant intravascular environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Wrede
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Oleksiy Degtyaruk
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sandeep Kumar Kalva
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Xosé Luis Deán-Ben
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ugur Bozuyuk
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Birgul Akolpoglu
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Metin Sitti
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Daniel Razansky
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology and Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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26
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Kichatov B, Korshunov A, Sudakov V, Petrov O, Gubernov V, Korshunova E, Kolobov A, Kiverin A. Magnetic Nanomotors in Emulsions for Locomotion of Microdroplets. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:10976-10986. [PMID: 35179020 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c23910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The locomotion of droplets in emulsions is of practical significance for fields related to medicine and chemical engineering, which can be done with a magnetic field to move droplets containing magnetic materials. Here, we demonstrate a new method of droplet locomotion in the oil-in-water emulsion with the help of a nonuniform magnetic field in the case where magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are dispersed in the continuous phase of the emulsion. The paper analyses the motion of the droplets in a liquid film and in a capillary for various diameters of droplets, their number density, and viscosity of the continuous phase of the emulsion. It is established that the mechanism of droplet locomotion in the emulsion largely depends on the wettability of MNPs. Hydrophobic nanoparticles are adsorbed on the droplet surfaces, forming the agglomerates of MNPs with the droplets. Such agglomerates move at much higher velocities than passive droplets. Hydrophilic nanoparticles are not adsorbed at the surfaces of the droplets but form mobile magnetic clusters dispersed in the continuous phase of the emulsion. Mobile magnetic clusters set the surrounding liquid and droplets in motion. The results obtained in this paper can be used in drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Kichatov
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Korshunov
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Sudakov
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg Petrov
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir Gubernov
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Korshunova
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei Kolobov
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexey Kiverin
- Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, 125412 Moscow, Russia
- Moscow State Technical University by N.E. Bauman, 105005 Moscow, Russia
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27
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Wang Q, Du X, Jin D, Zhang L. Real-Time Ultrasound Doppler Tracking and Autonomous Navigation of a Miniature Helical Robot for Accelerating Thrombolysis in Dynamic Blood Flow. ACS NANO 2022; 16:604-616. [PMID: 34985859 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c07830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Untethered small-scale robots offer great promise for medical applications in complex biological environments. However, challenges remain in the control and medical imaging of a robot for targeted delivery inside a living body, especially in flowing conditions (e.g., blood vessels). In this work, we report a strategy to autonomously navigate a miniature helical robot in dynamic blood flow under ultrasound Doppler imaging guidance. A magnetic torque and force-hybrid control approach is implemented, enabling the actuation of a millimeter-scale helical robot against blood flow under a rotating magnetic field with a controllable field gradient. Experimental results demonstrate that the robot (length 7.30 mm; diameter 2.15 mm) exhibits controlled navigation in vascular environments, including upstream and downstream navigation in flowing and pulsatile flowing blood with flow rates up to 24 mL/min (mean flow velocity: 14.15 mm/s). During navigation, the rotating robot-induced Doppler signals enable real-time localization and tracking in flowing and pulsatile flowing blood environments. Moreover, the robot can be selectively navigated along different paths by actively controlling the robot's orientation. We apply this autonomous strategy for localizing thrombus and accelerating thrombolysis rate. Compared with conventional tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) thrombolysis, the robot-enhanced shear stress and tPA convection near the clot-blood interface increase the unblocking and thrombolysis efficiency up to 4.8- and 3.5-fold, respectively. Such a medical imaging-guided navigation strategy provides simultaneous robot navigation and localization in complex dynamic biological environments, providing an intelligent approach toward real-time targeted delivery and diagnostic applications in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xingzhou Du
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Dongdong Jin
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
- T Stone Robotics Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
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