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Kiaheyrati N, Babaei A, Ranji R, Bahadoran E, Taheri S, Farokhpour Z. Cancer therapy with the viral and bacterial pathogens: The past enemies can be considered the present allies. Life Sci 2024; 349:122734. [PMID: 38788973 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122734] [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] [Received: 03/02/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
Cancer continues to be one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide despite significant advancements in cancer treatment. Many difficulties have arisen as a result of the detrimental consequences of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a common cancer therapy, such as drug inability to penetrate deep tumor tissue, and also the drug resistance in tumor cells continues to be a major concern. These obstacles have increased the need for the development of new techniques that are more selective and effective against cancer cells. Bacterial-based therapies and the use of oncolytic viruses can suppress cancer in comparison to other cancer medications. The tumor microenvironment is susceptible to bacterial accumulation and proliferation, which can trigger immune responses against the tumor. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have also gained considerable attention in recent years because of their potential capability to selectively target and induce apoptosis in cancer cells. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the latest literature on the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, discusses the limitations and challenges, outlines various strategies, summarizes recent preclinical and clinical trials, and emphasizes the importance of optimizing current strategies for better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Kiaheyrati
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Abouzar Babaei
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran.
| | - Reza Ranji
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensiyeh Bahadoran
- School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Science, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Shiva Taheri
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Zahra Farokhpour
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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2
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Li Z, Duan Y, Zhang F, Luan H, Shen WT, Yu Y, Xian N, Guo Z, Zhang E, Yin L, Fang RH, Gao W, Zhang L, Wang J. Biohybrid microrobots regulate colonic cytokines and the epithelium barrier in inflammatory bowel disease. Sci Robot 2024; 9:eadl2007. [PMID: 38924422 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adl2007] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Cytokines have been identified as key contributors to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet conventional treatments often prove inadequate and carry substantial side effects. Here, we present an innovative biohybrid robotic system, termed "algae-MΦNP-robot," for addressing IBD by actively neutralizing colonic cytokine levels. Our approach combines moving green microalgae with macrophage membrane-coated nanoparticles (MΦNPs) to efficiently capture proinflammatory cytokines "on the fly." The dynamic algae-MΦNP-robots outperformed static counterparts by enhancing cytokine removal through continuous movement, better distribution, and extended retention in the colon. This system is encapsulated in an oral capsule, which shields it from gastric acidity and ensures functionality upon reaching the targeted disease site. The resulting algae-MΦNP-robot capsule effectively regulated cytokine levels, facilitating the healing of damaged epithelial barriers. It showed markedly improved prevention and treatment efficacy in a mouse model of IBD and demonstrated an excellent biosafety profile. Overall, our biohybrid algae-MΦNP-robot system offers a promising and efficient solution for IBD, addressing cytokine-related inflammation effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengxing Li
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yaou Duan
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Fangyu Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hao Luan
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Wei-Ting Shen
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yiyan Yu
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Nianfei Xian
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Guo
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Edward Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Lu Yin
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H Fang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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3
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Yang FF, Zhao TT, Milaneh S, Zhang C, Xiang DJ, Wang WL. Small molecule targeted therapies for endometrial cancer: progress, challenges, and opportunities. RSC Med Chem 2024; 15:1828-1848. [PMID: 38911148 PMCID: PMC11187550 DOI: 10.1039/d4md00089g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is a common malignancy among women worldwide, and its recurrence makes it a common cause of cancer-related death. Surgery and external radiation, chemotherapy, or a combination of strategies are the cornerstone of therapy for EC patients. However, adjuvant treatment strategies face certain drawbacks, such as resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs; therefore, it is imperative to explore innovative therapeutic strategies to improve the prognosis of EC. With the development of pathology and pathophysiology, several biological targets associated with EC have been identified, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR, PARP, GSK-3β, STAT-3, and VEGF. In this review, we summarize the progress of small molecule targeted therapies in terms of both basic research and clinical trials and provide cases of small molecules combined with fluorescence properties in the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment. We hope that this review will facilitate the further understanding of the regulatory mechanism governing the dysregulation of oncogenic signaling in EC and provide insights into the possible future directions of targeted therapeutic regimens for EC treatment by developing new agents with fluorescence properties for the clinical applications of integrated diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Fei Yang
- Yixing People's Hospital Yixing Jiangsu 214200 China
| | - Tian-Tian Zhao
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
| | - Slieman Milaneh
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries, Higher Institute of Applied Science and Technology Damascus Syria
| | - Chun Zhang
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
| | - Da-Jun Xiang
- Xishan People's Hospital of Wuxi City Wuxi Jiangsu 214105 China
| | - Wen-Long Wang
- Yixing People's Hospital Yixing Jiangsu 214200 China
- School of Life Sciences and Health Engineering, Jiangnan University Wuxi 214122 China
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4
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Dutta SD, Luthfikasari R, Patil TV, Ganguly K, Seol Y, Randhawa A, Lim KT. Sunflower Pollen-Morphology Mimicked Spiky Zinc Nanomotors as a Photosensitizer for Killing Bacteria and Cancer Cells. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2024; 7:3731-3745. [PMID: 38842103 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00092] [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: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Photosensitizing agents have received increased attention from the medical community, owing to their higher photothermal efficiency, induction of hyperthermia, and sustained delivery of bioactive molecules to their targets. Micro/nanorobots can be used as ideal photosensitizing agents by utilizing various physical stimuli for the targeted killing of pathogens (e.g., bacteria) and cancer cells. Herein, we report sunflower-pollen-inspired spiky zinc oxide (s-ZnO)-based nanorobots that effectively kill bacteria and cancer cells under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. The as-fabricated s-ZnO was modified with a catechol-containing photothermal agent, polydopamine (PDA), to improve its NIR-responsive properties, followed by the addition of antimicrobial (e.g., tetracycline/TCN) and anticancer (e.g., doxorubicin/DOX) drugs. The fabricated s-ZnO/PDA@Drug nanobots exhibited unique locomotory behavior with an average speed ranging from 13 to 14 μm/s under 2.0 W/cm2 NIR light irradiation. Moreover, the s-ZnO/PDA@TCN nanobots exhibited superior antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. epidermidis under NIR irradiation. The s-ZnO/PDA@DOX nanobots also displayed sufficient reactive oxygen species (ROS) amplification in B16F10 melanoma cells and induced apoptosis under NIR light, indicating their therapeutic efficacy. We hope the sunflower pollen-inspired s-ZnO nanorobots have tremendous potential in biomedical engineering from the phototherapy perspective, with the hope to reduce pathogen infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayan Deb Dutta
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Center for Surgical Bioengineering, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California 95817, United States
| | - Rachmi Luthfikasari
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Tejal V Patil
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Keya Ganguly
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Youjin Seol
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Aayushi Randhawa
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki-Taek Lim
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Forest Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Smart Agriculture, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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5
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Zhang F, Guo Z, Li Z, Luan H, Yu Y, Zhu AT, Ding S, Gao W, Fang RH, Zhang L, Wang J. Biohybrid microrobots locally and actively deliver drug-loaded nanoparticles to inhibit the progression of lung metastasis. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadn6157. [PMID: 38865468 PMCID: PMC11168470 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn6157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Lung metastasis poses a formidable challenge in the realm of cancer treatment, with conventional chemotherapy often falling short due to limited targeting and low accumulation in the lungs. Here, we show a microrobot approach using motile algae for localized delivery of drug-loaded nanoparticles to address lung metastasis challenges. The biohybrid microrobot [denoted "algae-NP(DOX)-robot"] combines green microalgae with red blood cell membrane-coated nanoparticles containing doxorubicin, a representative chemotherapeutic drug. Microalgae provide autonomous propulsion in the lungs, leveraging controlled drug release and enhanced drug dispersion to exert antimetastatic effects. Upon intratracheal administration, algae-NP(DOX)-robots efficiently transport their drug payload deep into the lungs while maintaining continuous motility. This strategy leads to rapid drug distribution, improved tissue accumulation, and prolonged retention compared to passive drug-loaded nanoparticles and free drug controls. In a melanoma lung metastasis model, algae-NP(DOX)-robots exhibit substantial improvement in therapeutic efficacy, reducing metastatic burden and extending survival compared to control groups.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hao Luan
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Yiyan Yu
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Audrey T. Zhu
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Shichao Ding
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H. Fang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Joseph Wang
- Department of NanoEngineering and Chemical Engineering Program, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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6
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Ming L, Wu H, Fan Q, Dong Z, Huang J, Xiao Z, Xiao N, Huang H, Liu H, Li Z. Bio-inspired drug delivery systems: A new attempt from bioinspiration to biomedical applications. Int J Pharm 2024; 658:124221. [PMID: 38750980 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124221] [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] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Natural organisms have evolved sophisticated and multiscale hierarchical structures over time to enable survival. Currently, bionic design is revolutionizing drug delivery systems (DDS), drawing inspiration from the structure and properties of natural organisms that offer new possibilities to overcome the challenges of traditional drug delivery systems. Bionic drug delivery has contributed to a significant improvement in therapeutic outcomes, providing personalized regimens for patients with various diseases and enhancing both their quality of life and drug efficacy. Therefore, it is important to summarize the progress made so far and to discuss the challenges and opportunities for future development. Herein, we review the recent advances in bio-inspired materials, bio-inspired drug vehicles, and drug-loading platforms of biomimetic structures and properties, emphasizing the importance of adapting the structure and function of organisms to meet the needs of drug delivery systems. Finally, we highlight the delivery strategies of bionics in DDS to provide new perspectives and insights into the research and exploration of bionics in DDS. Hopefully, this review will provide future insights into utilizing biologically active vehicles, bio-structures, and bio-functions, leading to better clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangshan Ming
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Hailian Wu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Qimeng Fan
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Zishu Dong
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Jia Huang
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Zijian Xiao
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Nan Xiao
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China
| | - Hao Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine-Hakka Medical Resources Branch, College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical, University, Jiangxi, Ganzhou 341000, China.
| | - Hongning Liu
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China.
| | - Zhe Li
- Institute for Advanced Study, Key Laboratory of Modern Preparation of TCM, Ministry of Education, Jiangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangxi, Nanchang 330004, China.
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7
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Lu L, Zhao H, Lu Y, Zhang Y, Wang X, Fan C, Li Z, Wu Z. Design and Control of the Magnetically Actuated Micro/Nanorobot Swarm toward Biomedical Applications. Adv Healthc Mater 2024; 13:e2400414. [PMID: 38412402 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202400414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Recently, magnetically actuated micro/nanorobots hold extensive promises in biomedical applications due to their advantages of noninvasiveness, fuel-free operation, and programmable nature. While effectively promised in various fields such as targeted delivery, most past investigations are mainly displayed in magnetic control of individual micro/nanorobots. Facing practical medical use, the micro/nanorobots are required for the development of swarm control in a closed-loop control manner. This review outlines the recent developments in magnetic micro/nanorobot swarms, including their actuating fundamentals, designs, controls, and biomedical applications. The fundamental principles and interactions involved in the formation of magnetic micro/nanorobot swarms are discussed first. The recent advances in the design of artificial and biohybrid micro/nanorobot swarms, along with the control devices and methods used for swarm manipulation, are presented. Furthermore, biomedical applications that have the potential to achieve clinical application are introduced, such as imaging-guided therapy, targeted delivery, embolization, and biofilm eradication. By addressing the potential challenges discussed toward the end of this review, magnetic micro/nanorobot swarms hold promise for clinical treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Lu
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Hongqiao Zhao
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yucong Lu
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Yuxuan Zhang
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Xinran Wang
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Chengjuan Fan
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Zesheng Li
- Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Sciences, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Zhiguang Wu
- School of Medicine and Health, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
- Key Laboratory of Microsystems and Microstructures Manufacturing (Ministry of Education), Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150001, China
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Bozuyuk U, Wrede P, Yildiz E, Sitti M. Roadmap for Clinical Translation of Mobile Microrobotics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2311462. [PMID: 38380776 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311462] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024]
Abstract
Medical microrobotics is an emerging field to revolutionize clinical applications in diagnostics and therapeutics of various diseases. On the other hand, the mobile microrobotics field has important obstacles to pass before clinical translation. This article focuses on these challenges and provides a roadmap of medical microrobots to enable their clinical use. From the concept of a "magic bullet" to the physicochemical interactions of microrobots in complex biological environments in medical applications, there are several translational steps to consider. Clinical translation of mobile microrobots is only possible with a close collaboration between clinical experts and microrobotics researchers to address the technical challenges in microfabrication, safety, and imaging. The clinical application potential can be materialized by designing microrobots that can solve the current main challenges, such as actuation limitations, material stability, and imaging constraints. The strengths and weaknesses of the current progress in the microrobotics field are discussed and a roadmap for their clinical applications in the near future is outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Bozuyuk
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Paul Wrede
- Physical Intelligence Department, Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, 70569, Stuttgart, Germany
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich, 8093, Switzerland
| | - Erdost Yildiz
- 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
- School of Medicine and College of Engineering, Koc University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
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9
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Song W, He Y, Feng Y, Wang Y, Li X, Wu Y, Zhang S, Zhong L, Yan F, Sun L. Image-Guided Photothermal and Immune Therapy of Tumors via Melanin-Producing Genetically Engineered Bacteria. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305764. [PMID: 38368252 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305764] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a new treatment modality for tumors. However, the efficient delivery of photothermal agents into tumors remains difficult, especially in hypoxic tumor regions. In this study, an approach to deliver melanin, a natural photothermal agent, into tumors using genetically engineered bacteria for image-guided photothermal and immune therapy is developed. An Escherichia coli MG1655 is transformed with a recombinant plasmid harboring a tyrosinase gene to produce melanin nanoparticles. Melanin-producing genetically engineered bacteria (MG1655-M) are systemically administered to 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. The tumor-targeting properties of MG1655-M in the hypoxic environment integrate the properties of hypoxia targeting, photoacoustic imaging, and photothermal therapeutic agents in an "all-in-one" manner. This eliminates the need for post-modification to achieve image-guided hypoxia-targeted cancer photothermal therapy. Tumor growth is significantly suppressed by irradiating the tumor with an 808 nm laser. Furthermore, strong antitumor immunity is triggered by PTT, thereby producing long-term immune memory effects that effectively inhibit tumor metastasis and recurrence. This work proposes a new photothermal and immune therapy guided by an "all-in-one" melanin-producing genetically engineered bacteria, which can offer broad potential applications in cancer treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijian Song
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, P. R. China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, P. R. China
| | - Yaling He
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Feng
- Department of Abdominal Ultrasound, The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, 266000, P. R. China
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoying Li
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, P. R. China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, P. R. China
| | - Yingnan Wu
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, P. R. China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, P. R. China
| | - Shanxin Zhang
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, P. R. China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, P. R. China
| | - Lin Zhong
- School of Public Health, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330019, P. R. China
| | - Fei Yan
- Center for Cell and Gene Circuit Design, CAS Key Laboratory of Quantitative Engineering Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Litao Sun
- Cancer Center, Department of Ultrasound Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310030, P. R. China
- Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, 233030, P. R. China
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10
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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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11
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Gervasoni S, Pedrini N, Rifai T, Fischer C, Landers FC, Mattmann M, Dreyfus R, Viviani S, Veciana A, Masina E, Aktas B, Puigmartí-Luis J, Chautems C, Pané S, Boehler Q, Gruber P, Nelson BJ. A Human-Scale Clinically Ready Electromagnetic Navigation System for Magnetically Responsive Biomaterials and Medical Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2310701. [PMID: 38733269 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic navigation systems are used to precisely manipulate magnetically responsive materials enabling the realization of new minimally invasive procedures using magnetic medical devices. Their widespread applicability has been constrained by high infrastructure demands and costs. The study reports on a portable electromagnetic navigation system, the Navion, which is capable of generating a large magnetic field over a large workspace. The system is easy to install in hospital operating rooms and transportable through health care facilities, aiding in the widespread adoption of magnetically responsive medical devices. First, the design and implementation approach for the system are introduced and its performance is characterized. Next, in vitro navigation of different microrobot structures is demonstrated using magnetic field gradients and rotating magnetic fields. Spherical permanent magnets, electroplated cylindrical microrobots, microparticle swarms, and magnetic composite bacteria-inspired helical structures are investigated. The navigation of magnetic catheters is also demonstrated in two challenging endovascular tasks: 1) an angiography procedure and 2) deep navigation within the circle of Willis. Catheter navigation is demonstrated in a porcine model in vivo to perform an angiography under magnetic guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Gervasoni
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Norman Pedrini
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tarik Rifai
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Cedric Fischer
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Fabian C Landers
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Mattmann
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Dreyfus
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Silvia Viviani
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Andrea Veciana
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Enea Masina
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Buse Aktas
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Josep Puigmartí-Luis
- Departament de Ciència dels Materials i Química Física, Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028, Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Salvador Pané
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Quentin Boehler
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Philipp Gruber
- Kantonsspital Aarau AG, Tellstrasse 25, CH-5001, Aarau, Switzerland
| | - Bradley J Nelson
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Jambon-Puillet E, Testa A, Lorenz C, Style RW, Rebane AA, Dufresne ER. Phase-separated droplets swim to their dissolution. Nat Commun 2024; 15:3919. [PMID: 38724503 PMCID: PMC11082165 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47889-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Biological macromolecules can condense into liquid domains. In cells, these condensates form membraneless organelles that can organize chemical reactions. However, little is known about the physical consequences of chemical activity in and around condensates. Working with model bovine serum albumin (BSA) condensates, we show that droplets swim along chemical gradients. Active BSA droplets loaded with urease swim toward each other. Passive BSA droplets show diverse responses to externally applied gradients of the enzyme's substrate and products. In all these cases, droplets swim toward solvent conditions that favor their dissolution. We call this behavior "dialytaxis", and expect it to be generic, as conditions which favor dissolution typically reduce interfacial tension, whose gradients are well-known to drive droplet motion through the Marangoni effect. These results could potentially suggest alternative physical mechanisms for active transport in living cells, and may enable the design of fluid micro-robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Etienne Jambon-Puillet
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- LadHyX, CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Palaiseau, France
| | - Andrea Testa
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Charlotta Lorenz
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Robert W Style
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Aleksander A Rebane
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
- Life Molecules and Materials Lab, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Eric R Dufresne
- Department of Materials, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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13
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Feng K, Shen W, Chen L, Gong J, Palberg T, Qu J, Niu R. Weak Ion-Exchange Based Magnetic Swarm for Targeted Drug Delivery and Chemotherapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306798. [PMID: 38059804 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306798] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Swimming microrobots that are actuated by multiple stimuli/fields display various intriguing collective behaviors, ranging from phase separation to clustering and giant number fluctuation; however, it is still chanllenging to achieve multiple responses and functionalities within one colloidal system to emulate high environmental adaptability and improved tasking capability of natural swarms. In this work, a weak ion-exchange based swarm is presented that can self-organize and reconfigure by chemical, light, and magnetic fields, showing living crystal, amorphous glass, liquid, chain, and wheel-like structures. By changing the frequency and strength of the rotating magnetic field, various well-controlled and fast transformations are obtained. Experiments show the high adaptability and functionality of the microrobot swarm in delivering drugs in confined spaces, such as narrow channels with turns or obstacles. The drug-carrying swarm exhibits excellent chemtherapy for Hela and CT26 cells due to the pH-enhanced drug release and locomotion. This reconfigurable microswarm provides a new platform for biomedical and environmental applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Feng
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Semiconductor Chemistry Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Wenqi Shen
- Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 221002, China
| | - Ling Chen
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Semiconductor Chemistry Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Jiang Gong
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Semiconductor Chemistry Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Thomas Palberg
- Institut für physics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universtät Mainz, Staudingerweg 7, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jinping Qu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Semiconductor Chemistry Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Technique and Equipment for Macromolecular Advanced Manufacturing, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510641, China
| | - Ran Niu
- Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Ministry of Education, Hubei Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry and Service Failure, Hubei Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials and Medical Protective Materials, Semiconductor Chemistry Center, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
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14
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Gao Y, Ou L, Liu K, Guo Y, Li W, Xiong Z, Wu C, Wang J, Tang J, Li D. Template-Guided Silicon Micromotor Assembly for Enhanced Cell Manipulation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024:e202405895. [PMID: 38660927 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202405895] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Light-driven micro/nanorobots (LMNRs) are tiny, untethered machines with great potential in fields like precision medicine, nano manufacturing, and various other domains. However, their practicality hinges on developing light-manipulation strategies that combine versatile functionalities, flexible design options, and precise controllability. Our study introduces an innovative approach to construct micro/nanorobots (MNRs) by utilizing micro/nanomotors as fundamental building blocks. Inspired by silicon Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MIS) solar cell principles, we design a new type of optomagnetic hybrid micromotors (OHMs). These OHMs have been skillfully optimized with integrated magnetic constituent, resulting in efficient light propulsion, precise magnetic navigation, and the potential for controlled assembly. One of the key features of the OHMs is their ability to exhibit diverse motion modes influenced by fracture surfaces and interactions with the environment, streamlining cargo conveyance along "micro expressway"-the predesigned microchannels. Further enhancing their versatility, a template-guided assembly strategy facilitates the assembly of these micromotors into functional microrobots, encompassing various configurations such as "V-shaped", "N-shaped", and 3D structured microrobots. The heightened capabilities of these microrobots, underscore the innovative potential inherent in hybrid micromotor design and assembly, which provides a foundational platform for the realization of multi-component microrobots. Our work moves a step toward forthcoming microrobotic entities boasting advanced functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Gao
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Leyan Ou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Kunfeng Liu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Guo
- The Third People's Hospital of Ganzhou, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, 341000, P. R. China
| | - Wanyuan Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Ze Xiong
- Wireless and Smart Bioelectronics Lab, School of Biomedical Engineering, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, P. R. China
| | - Changjin Wu
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Jizhuang Wang
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
| | - Jinyao Tang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Dan Li
- College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Functional Supramolecular Coordination Materials and Applications, Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, P. R. China
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15
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Yarahmadi A, Zare M, Aghayari M, Afkhami H, Jafari GA. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses to combat cancer: double-edged sword in cancer therapy: new insights for future. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:239. [PMID: 38654309 PMCID: PMC11040964 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01622-w] [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] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Cancer, ranked as the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, leads to the death of approximately seven million people annually, establishing itself as one of the most significant health challenges globally. The discovery and identification of new anti-cancer drugs that kill or inactivate cancer cells without harming normal and healthy cells and reduce adverse effects on the immune system is a potential challenge in medicine and a fundamental goal in Many studies. Therapeutic bacteria and viruses have become a dual-faceted instrument in cancer therapy. They provide a promising avenue for cancer treatment, but at the same time, they also create significant obstacles and complications that contribute to cancer growth and development. This review article explores the role of bacteria and viruses in cancer treatment, examining their potential benefits and drawbacks. By amalgamating established knowledge and perspectives, this review offers an in-depth examination of the present research landscape within this domain and identifies avenues for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aref Yarahmadi
- Department of Biology, Khorramabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Mitra Zare
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Kerman Branch, Islamic Azad University, Kerman, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Aghayari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Hamed Afkhami
- Nervous System Stem Cells Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Gholam Ali Jafari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
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16
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Wang Y, Chen H, Xie L, Liu J, Zhang L, Yu J. Swarm Autonomy: From Agent Functionalization to Machine Intelligence. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2312956. [PMID: 38653192 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202312956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Swarm behaviors are common in nature, where individual organisms collaborate via perception, communication, and adaptation. Emulating these dynamics, large groups of active agents can self-organize through localized interactions, giving rise to complex swarm behaviors, which exhibit potential for applications across various domains. This review presents a comprehensive summary and perspective of synthetic swarms, to bridge the gap between the microscale individual agents and potential applications of synthetic swarms. It is begun by examining active agents, the fundamental units of synthetic swarms, to understand the origins of their motility and functionality in the presence of external stimuli. Then inter-agent communications and agent-environment communications that contribute to the swarm generation are summarized. Furthermore, the swarm behaviors reported to date and the emergence of machine intelligence within these behaviors are reviewed. Eventually, the applications enabled by distinct synthetic swarms are summarized. By discussing the emergent machine intelligence in swarm behaviors, insights are offered into the design and deployment of autonomous synthetic swarms for real-world applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibin Wang
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Leiming Xie
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Jinbo Liu
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Jiangfan Yu
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, 518172, China
- Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen, 518172, China
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17
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Zhang T, Liu X, Qin H, Lin Y, Li B, Jiang X, Zheng X. Semiphysical Design Concept for Developing Miniaturized Microrobots In Vivo. NANO LETTERS 2024. [PMID: 38602330 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c00025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
The miniaturization of biomedical microrobots is crucial for their in vivo applications. However, it is challenging to reduce their size while maintaining their biomedical functions. To resolve this contradiction, we propose a semiphysical design concept for developing miniaturized microrobots, in which invisible components such as light beams are utilized to replace most of the physical parts of a microrobot, thus minimizing its physical size without sacrificing its biomedical functions. According to this design, we have constructed a semiphysical microrobot (SPM) composed of main light beam, light-responsive microparticle, and auxiliary light beam, serving as the actuation system, recognition part, and surgical claws, respectively. Based on the functions of actuation, biosensing, and microsurgery, a SPM has been applied for a series of applications, including thrombus elimination at the branch vessel, stratified removal of multilayer thrombus, and biosensing-guided microsurgery. The proposed semiphysical design concept should bring new insight into the development of miniaturized biomedical microrobots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiange Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xiaoshuai Liu
- School of Physics and Materials Science, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Haifeng Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Yufeng Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Baojun Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
| | - Xiqun Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xianchuang Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Nanophotonic Manipulation, Institute of Nanophotonics, Jinan University, Guangzhou 511443, China
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18
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Zhu Y, Jia H, Jiang Y, Guo Y, Duan Q, Xu K, Shan B, Liu X, Chen X, Wu F. A red blood cell-derived bionic microrobot capable of hierarchically adapting to five critical stages in systemic drug delivery. EXPLORATION (BEIJING, CHINA) 2024; 4:20230105. [PMID: 38855612 PMCID: PMC11022606 DOI: 10.1002/exp.20230105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
The tumour-targeting efficiency of systemically delivered chemodrugs largely dictates the therapeutic outcome of anticancer treatment. Major challenges lie in the complexity of diverse biological barriers that drug delivery systems must hierarchically overcome to reach their cellular/subcellular targets. Herein, an "all-in-one" red blood cell (RBC)-derived microrobot that can hierarchically adapt to five critical stages during systemic drug delivery, that is, circulation, accumulation, release, extravasation, and penetration, is developed. The microrobots behave like natural RBCs in blood circulation, due to their almost identical surface properties, but can be magnetically manipulated to accumulate at regions of interest such as tumours. Next, the microrobots are "immolated" under laser irradiation to release their therapeutic cargoes and, by generating heat, to enhance drug extravasation through vascular barriers. As a coloaded agent, pirfenidone (PFD) can inhibit the formation of extracellular matrix and increase the penetration depth of chemodrugs in the solid tumour. It is demonstrated that this system effectively suppresses both primary and metastatic tumours in mouse models without evident side effects, and may represent a new class of intelligent biomimicking robots for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya‐Xuan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
- Shanghai Tenth People's HospitalShanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic MedicineSchool of MedicineTongji UniversityShanghaiPeople's Republic of China
| | - Hao‐Ran Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
- The Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital)Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM)Chinese Academy of SciencesHangzhouZhejiangPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yao‐Wen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Yuxin Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Qiu‐Yi Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Ke‐Fei Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Bai‐Hui Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
| | - Xiaokai Chen
- School of ChemistryChemical Engineering and BiotechnologyNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Fu‐Gen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Digital Medical EngineeringJiangsu Key Laboratory for Biomaterials and DevicesSchool of Biological Science and Medical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsuPeople's Republic of China
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19
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Wang W, Zhang L, Zhang Y, Liu X, Song A, Ren J, Qu X. A Self-Adaptive Pyroptosis Inducer: Optimizing the Catalytic Microenvironment of Nanozymes by Membrane-Adhered Microbe Enables Potent Cancer Immunotherapy. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2310063. [PMID: 38153294 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310063] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Pyroptosis has garnered increasing attention in cancer immunotherapy. Moreover, increasing plasma membrane damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered an effective strategy for promoting pyroptosis. However, the current tactics for enhancing membrane rupture in pyroptosis are limited by the inherent drawbacks of ROS and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Herein, a self-adaptive pyroptosis inducer (LPZ) is designed by integrating Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) and an enzyme-like metal-organic framework to achieve potent pyroptosis immunotherapy. LPZ can adhere to cancer cell membranes through the interaction between the pili of LGG and the mucin of cancer cells. In particular, the adaptive formula can gradually enhance the ability of nanozymes to produce ROS by creating an acidic microenvironment through anaerobic respiration. These results verify that LPZ could generate high levels of ROS both on the membrane and within cancer cells, leading to pyroptotic cell death and strong antitumor immunity. Meanwhile, LGG are eventually killed by ROS in this process to halt their respiration and prevent potential biosafety concerns. Overall, this work provides new inspiration for the design of self-adaptive nanocatalytic drugs for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjie Wang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Yanjie Zhang
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Xuemeng Liu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Anjun Song
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Jinsong Ren
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
| | - Xiaogang Qu
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology and State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Resource Utilization, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun, Jilin, 130022, P. R. China
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, P. R. China
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20
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Zhou Y, Cao Z, Jiang L, Chen Y, Cui X, Wu J, Xie X, Wang L, Ying T. Magnetically actuated sonodynamic nanorobot collectives for potentiated ovarian cancer therapy. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1374423. [PMID: 38595994 PMCID: PMC11002226 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1374423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian cancer presents a substantial challenge due to its high mortality and recurrence rates among gynecological tumors. Existing clinical chemotherapy treatments are notably limited by drug resistance and systemic toxic side effects caused by off target drugs. Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) has emerged as a promising approach in cancer treatment, motivating researchers to explore synergistic combinations with other therapies for enhanced efficacy. In this study, we developed magnetic sonodynamic nanorobot (Fe3O4@SiO2-Ce6, FSC) by applying a SiO2 coating onto Fe3O4 nanoparticle, followed by coupling with the sonosensitizer Ce6. The magnetic FSC nanorobot collectives could gather at fixed point and actively move to target site regulated by magnetic field. In vitro experiments revealed that the magnetic FSC nanorobot collectives enabled directional navigation to the tumor cell area under guidance. Furthermore, under low-intensity ultrasonic stimulation, FSC nanorobot collectives mediated sonodynamic therapy exhibited remarkable anti-tumor performance. These findings suggest that magnetically actuated sonodynamic nanorobot collectives hold promising potential for application in target cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Zhou
- Jinzhou Medical University Graduate Training Base (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine), Jinzhou, China
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ziqi Cao
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lixian Jiang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyu Cui
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianrong Wu
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue Xie
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Longchen Wang
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tao Ying
- Jinzhou Medical University Graduate Training Base (Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine), Jinzhou, China
- Department of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, Shanghai, China
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21
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Liu Y, Huang J, Liu C, Song Z, Wu J, Zhao Q, Li Y, Dong F, Wang L, Xu H. Soft Millirobot Capable of Switching Motion Modes on the Fly for Targeted Drug Delivery in the Oviduct. ACS NANO 2024; 18:8694-8705. [PMID: 38466230 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c09753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Small-scale magnetic robots with fixed magnetizations have limited locomotion modes, restricting their applications in complex environments in vivo. Here we present a morphology-reconfigurable millirobot that can switch the locomotion modes locally by reprogramming its magnetizations during navigation, in response to distinct magnetic field patterns. By continuously switching its locomotion modes between the high-velocity rigid motion and high-adaptability soft actuation, the millirobot efficiently navigates in small lumens with intricate internal structures and complex surface topographies. As demonstrations, the millirobot performs multimodal locomotion including woodlouse-like rolling and flipping, sperm-like rotating, and snake-like gliding to negotiate different terrains, including the unrestricted channel and high platform, narrow channel, and solid-liquid interface, respectively. Finally, we demonstrate the drug delivery capability of the millirobot through the oviduct-mimicking phantom and ex vivo oviduct. The magnetization reprogramming strategy during navigation represents a promising approach for developing self-adaptive robots for performing complex tasks in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jing Huang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
- Department of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Chu Liu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Zhongyi Song
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Jiandong Wu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Qilong Zhao
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Yingtian Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Fuping Dong
- Department of Polymer Materials and Engineering, College of Materials and Metallurgy, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Haifeng Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, P. R. China, 1068 Xueyuan Avenue, Shenzhen 518055, China
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22
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Mirkhani N, Christiansen MG, Gwisai T, Menghini S, Schuerle S. Spatially selective delivery of living magnetic microrobots through torque-focusing. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2160. [PMID: 38461256 PMCID: PMC10924878 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46407-4] [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] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Rotating magnetic fields enable biomedical microrobots to overcome physiological barriers and promote extravasation and accumulation in tumors. Nevertheless, targeting deeply situated tumors requires suppression of off-target actuation in healthy tissue. Here, we investigate a control strategy for applying spatially selective torque density to microrobots by combining rotating fields with magnetostatic selection fields. Taking magnetotactic bacteria as diffuse torque-based actuators, we numerically model off-target torque suppression, indicating the feasibility of centimeter to millimeter resolution for human applications. We study focal torque application in vitro, observing off-target suppression of actuation-dependent effects such as colonization of bacteria in tumor spheroids. We then design and construct a mouse-scale torque-focusing apparatus capable of maneuvering the focal point. Applying this system to a mouse tumor model increased accumulation of intravenously injected bacteria within tumors receiving focused actuation compared to non-actuated or globally actuated groups. This control scheme combines the advantages of torque-based actuation with spatial targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Mirkhani
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael G Christiansen
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tinotenda Gwisai
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Stefano Menghini
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Simone Schuerle
- Institute for Translational Medicine, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, CH-8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
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23
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Gemayel J, Chebly A, Kourie H, Hanna C, Mheidly K, Mhanna M, Karam F, Ghoussaini D, Najjar PE, Khalil C. Genome Engineering as a Therapeutic Approach in Cancer Therapy: A Comprehensive Review. ADVANCED GENETICS (HOBOKEN, N.J.) 2024; 5:2300201. [PMID: 38465225 PMCID: PMC10919288 DOI: 10.1002/ggn2.202300201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Cancer is one of the foremost causes of mortality. The human genome remains stable over time. However, human activities and environmental factors have the power to influence the prevalence of certain types of mutations. This goes to the excessive progress of xenobiotics and industrial development that is expanding the territory for cancers to develop. The mechanisms involved in immune responses against cancer are widely studied. Genome editing has changed the genome-based immunotherapy process in the human body and has opened a new era for cancer treatment. In this review, recent cancer immunotherapies and the use of genome engineering technology are largely focused on.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack Gemayel
- Faculty of SciencesBalamand UniversityBeirutLebanon
- FMPS Holding BIOTECKNO s.a.l. Research and Quality SolutionsNaccashBeirut60 247Lebanon
| | - Alain Chebly
- Center Jacques Loiselet for Medical Genetics and Genomics (CGGM), Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
- Higher Institute of Public HealthSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | - Hampig Kourie
- Center Jacques Loiselet for Medical Genetics and Genomics (CGGM), Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
- Faculty of MedicineSaint Joseph UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | - Colette Hanna
- Faculty of MedicineLebanese American University Medical CenterRizk HospitalBeirutLebanon
| | | | - Melissa Mhanna
- Faculty of MedicineParis Saclay University63 Rue Gabriel PériLe Kremlin‐Bicêtre94270France
| | - Farah Karam
- Faculty of MedicineBalamand UniversityBeirutLebanon
| | | | - Paula El Najjar
- FMPS Holding BIOTECKNO s.a.l. Research and Quality SolutionsNaccashBeirut60 247Lebanon
- Department of Agricultural and Food Engineering, School of EngineeringHoly Spirit University of KaslikJounieh446Lebanon
| | - Charbel Khalil
- Reviva Regenerative Medicine CenterBsalimLebanon
- Bone Marrow Transplant UnitBurjeel Medical CityAbu DhabiUAE
- Lebanese American University School of MedicineBeirutLebanon
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24
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Wang Q, Wang Q, Ning Z, Chan KF, Jiang J, Wang Y, Su L, Jiang S, Wang B, Ip BYM, Ko H, Leung TWH, Chiu PWY, Yu SCH, Zhang L. Tracking and navigation of a microswarm under laser speckle contrast imaging for targeted delivery. Sci Robot 2024; 9:eadh1978. [PMID: 38381838 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.adh1978] [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: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Micro/nanorobotic swarms consisting of numerous tiny building blocks show great potential in biomedical applications because of their collective active delivery ability, enhanced imaging contrast, and environment-adaptive capability. However, in vivo real-time imaging and tracking of micro/nanorobotic swarms remain a challenge, considering the limited imaging size and spatial-temporal resolution of current imaging modalities. Here, we propose a strategy that enables real-time tracking and navigation of a microswarm in stagnant and flowing blood environments by using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), featuring full-field imaging, high temporal-spatial resolution, and noninvasiveness. The change in dynamic convection induced by the microswarm can be quantitatively investigated by analyzing the perfusion unit (PU) distribution, offering an alternative approach to investigate the swarm behavior and its interaction with various blood environments. Both the microswarm and surrounding environment were monitored and imaged by LSCI in real time, and the images were further analyzed for simultaneous swarm tracking and navigation in the complex vascular system. Moreover, our strategy realized real-time tracking and delivery of a microswarm in vivo, showing promising potential for LSCI-guided active delivery of microswarm in the vascular system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinglong Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Qianqian Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhipeng Ning
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Kai Fung Chan
- Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
- Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jialin Jiang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuqiong Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Lin Su
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Shuai Jiang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Ben Wang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bonaventure Yiu Ming Ip
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Ho Ko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Thomas Wai Hong Leung
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Philip Wai Yan Chiu
- Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
- Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Simon Chun Ho Yu
- Department of Imaging and Interventional Radiology, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
- Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
- Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center, Hong Kong Science Park, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Surgery, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
- CUHK T Stone Robotics Institute, CUHK, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong, China
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25
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Chan CW, Wu D, Qiao K, Fong KL, Yang Z, Han Y, Zhang R. Chiral active particles are sensitive reporters to environmental geometry. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1406. [PMID: 38365770 PMCID: PMC10873462 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45531-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Chiral active particles (CAPs) are self-propelling particles that break time-reversal symmetry by orbiting or spinning, leading to intriguing behaviors. Here, we examined the dynamics of CAPs moving in 2D lattices of disk obstacles through active Brownian dynamics simulations and granular experiments with grass seeds. We find that the effective diffusivity of the CAPs is sensitive to the structure of the obstacle lattice, a feature absent in achiral active particles. We further studied the transport of CAPs in obstacle arrays under an external field and found a reentrant directional locking effect, which can be used to sort CAPs with different activities. Finally, we demonstrated that parallelogram lattices of obstacles without mirror symmetry can separate clockwise and counter-clockwise CAPs. The mechanisms of the above three novel phenomena are qualitatively explained. As such, our work provides a basis for designing chirality-based tools for single-cell diagnosis and separation, and active particle-based environmental sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chung Wing Chan
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Daihui Wu
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kaiyao Qiao
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Kin Long Fong
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
- Physik-Department, Technische Universität München, James-Franck-Straße 1, 85748, Garching, Germany
| | - Zhiyu Yang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Yilong Han
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Rui Zhang
- Department of Physics, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR.
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26
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Cheng Q, Ge Y, Lin B, Zhou L, Mao H, Zhao J. Capacitive Bionic Magnetic Sensors Based on One-Step Biointerface Preparation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:6789-6798. [PMID: 38297999 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
Magnetic biomolecule-based bionic magnetic field sensors are anticipated to open up novel pathways for magnetic field detection. The detection range and accuracy of current bionic magnetic field sensors are limited, and little work is based on the capacitive response principle. We successfully developed a biochemical interface with an extralarge target-receptor size ratio, which can be manufactured in a single step for weak magnetic field detection across a wide frequency range, and we used electrochemical capacitance as a magnetic field change conduction strategy. The thickness-controllable nanoscale bovine serum albumin/graphene layer on an indium tin oxide working electrode combines with the one-step preparation method to immobilize the MagR/Cry4 complex. This capacitive bionic magnetic sensor can achieve the detection range of 0-120 mT. This biointerface design strategy obtains the further improvement of the performance of this bionic magnetic field sensor. Furthermore, the biointerface construction and optimization methodology in this proposal has potential applications in the design of other medical biosensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Yuqing Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Bo Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100039, China
| | - Lin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
| | - Hongju Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianlong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Transducer Technology, Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200050, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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27
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Dhar A, Gupta SL, Saini P, Sinha K, Khandelwal A, Tyagi R, Singh A, Sharma P, Jaiswal RK. Nanotechnology-based theranostic and prophylactic approaches against SARS-CoV-2. Immunol Res 2024; 72:14-33. [PMID: 37682455 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-023-09416-x] [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] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an unpredicted burden on global healthcare system by infecting over 700 million individuals, with approximately 6 million deaths worldwide. COVID-19 significantly impacted all sectors, but it very adversely affected the healthcare system. These effects were much more evident in the resource limited part of the world. Individuals with acute conditions were also severely impacted. Although classical COVID-19 diagnostics such as RT-PCR and rapid antibody testing have played a crucial role in reducing the spread of infection, these diagnostic techniques are associated with certain limitations. For instance, drawback of RT-PCR diagnostics is that due to degradation of viral RNA during shipping, it can give false negative results. Also, rapid antibody testing majorly depends on the phase of infection and cannot be performed on immune compromised individuals. These limitations in current diagnostic tools require the development of nanodiagnostic tools for early detection of COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has necessitated the development of specific, responsive, accurate, rapid, low-cost, and simple-to-use diagnostic tools at point of care. In recent years, early detection has been a challenge for several health diseases that require prompt attention and treatment. Disease identification at an early stage, increased imaging of inner health issues, and ease of diagnostic processes have all been established using a new discipline of laboratory medicine called nanodiagnostics, even before symptoms have appeared. Nanodiagnostics refers to the application of nanoparticles (material with size equal to or less than 100 nm) for medical diagnostic purposes. The special property of nanomaterials compared to their macroscopic counterparts is a lesser signal loss and an enhanced electromagnetic field. Nanosize of the detection material also enhances its sensitivity and increases the signal to noise ratio. Microchips, nanorobots, biosensors, nanoidentification of single-celled structures, and microelectromechanical systems are some of the most modern nanodiagnostics technologies now in development. Here, we have highlighted the important roles of nanotechnology in healthcare sector, with a detailed focus on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic. We outline the different types of nanotechnology-based diagnostic devices for SARS-CoV-2 and the possible applications of nanomaterials in COVID-19 treatment. We also discuss the utility of nanomaterials in formulating preventive strategies against SARS-CoV-2 including their use in manufacture of protective equipment, formulation of vaccines, and strategies for directly hindering viral infection. We further discuss the factors hindering the large-scale accessibility of nanotechnology-based healthcare applications and suggestions for overcoming them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atika Dhar
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India, 110067
| | | | - Pratima Saini
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India, 110067
| | - Kirti Sinha
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India
| | | | - Rohit Tyagi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Alka Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Feroze Gandhi College, Raebareli, U.P, India, 229001
| | - Priyanka Sharma
- Department of Zoology, Patna Science College, Patna University, Patna, Bihar, India.
| | - Rishi Kumar Jaiswal
- Department of Cancer Biology, Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, Loyola University Chicago, Stritch School of Medicine, Maywood, IL, 60153, USA.
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28
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Xing G, Yu X, Zhang Y, Sheng S, Jin L, Zhu D, Mei L, Dong X, Lv F. Macrophages-Based Biohybrid Microrobots for Breast Cancer Photothermal Immunotherapy by Inducing Pyroptosis. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2305526. [PMID: 37798678 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202305526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Pyroptosis-based immunotherapy can escape drug resistance as well as inhibit metastasis. It is urgently required to develop a delivery platform to induce targeted tumor-specific pyroptosis for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, macrophages-based biohybrid microrobots (IDN@MC) are constructed with IR-macrophage and decitabine-loaded Metal-organic frameworks (DZNPs). The integration of fluorescence photosensitizers and pH-sensitive DZNPs endow the microrobots properties such as photothermal conversion, fluorescent navigation, targeted drug delivery, and controlled drug release. In light of the inherent tumor targeting, tumor accumulation of IDN@MC is facilitated. Due to the sustained release of decitabine from packaged DZNPs, the host macrophages are differentiated into M1 phenotypes to exert the tumor phagocytosis at the tumor site, directly transporting the therapeutic agents into cancer cells. With laser control, the rapid and durable caspase 3-cleaved gasdermin E (GSDME)-related tumor pyroptosis is achieved with combined photothermal-chemotherapy, releasing inflammatory factors such as lactate dehydrogenase and interleukin-18. Subsequently, the robust and adaptive immune response is primed with dendritic cell maturation to initiate T-cell clone expansion and modulation of the immune suppressive microenvironment, thus enhancing the tumor immunotherapy to inhibit tumor proliferation and metastasis. This macrophages-based biohybrid microrobot is an efficient strategy for breast cancer treatment to trigger photo-induced pyroptosis and augment the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guozheng Xing
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Xuya Yu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Shupei Sheng
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Limin Jin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Dunwan Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Lin Mei
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Xia Dong
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
| | - Feng Lv
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Biomedical Materials, Key Laboratory of Biomaterials and Nanotechnology for Cancer Immunotherapy, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin, 300192, P. R. China
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29
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Del Campo Fonseca A, Ahmed D. Ultrasound robotics for precision therapy. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 205:115164. [PMID: 38145721 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2023.115164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the application of microrobots in precision therapy has gained significant attention. The small size and maneuverability of these micromachines enable them to potentially access regions that are difficult to reach using traditional methods; thus, reducing off-target toxicities and maximizing treatment effectiveness. Specifically, acoustic actuation has emerged as a promising method to exert control. By harnessing the power of acoustic energy, these small machines potentially navigate the body, assemble at the desired sites, and deliver therapies with enhanced precision and effectiveness. Amidst the enthusiasm surrounding these miniature agents, their translation to clinical environments has proven difficult. The primary objectives of this review are threefold: firstly, to offer an overview of the fundamental acoustic principles employed in the field of microrobots; secondly, to assess their current applications in medical therapies, encompassing tissue targeting, drug delivery or even cell infiltration; and lastly, to delve into the continuous efforts aimed at integrating acoustic microrobots into in vivo applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Del Campo Fonseca
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
| | - Daniel Ahmed
- Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, Acoustic Robotics Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, Säumerstrasse 4, 8803 Rüschlikon, Switzerland.
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30
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Cao HX, Nguyen VD, Park JO, Choi E, Kang B. Acoustic Actuators for the Manipulation of Micro/Nanorobots: State-of-the-Art and Future Outlooks. MICROMACHINES 2024; 15:186. [PMID: 38398914 PMCID: PMC10890471 DOI: 10.3390/mi15020186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Compared to other actuating methods, acoustic actuators offer the distinctive capability of the contactless manipulation of small objects, such as microscale and nanoscale robots. Furthermore, they have the ability to penetrate the skin, allowing for the trapping and manipulation of micro/nanorobots that carry therapeutic agents in diverse media. In this review, we summarize the current progress in using acoustic actuators for the manipulation of micro/nanorobots used in various biomedical applications. First, we introduce the actuating method of using acoustic waves to manipulate objects, including the principle of operation and different types of acoustic actuators that are usually employed. Then, applications involving manipulating different types of devices are reviewed, including bubble-based microrobots, bubble-free robots, biohybrid microrobots, and nanorobots. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future perspectives for the development of the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiep Xuan Cao
- Robot Research Initiative, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (H.X.C.); (E.C.)
- Korea Institute of Medical Microrobotics, Gwangju 61011, Republic of Korea;
| | - Van Du Nguyen
- Robot Research Initiative, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (H.X.C.); (E.C.)
- Korea Institute of Medical Microrobotics, Gwangju 61011, Republic of Korea;
| | - Jong-Oh Park
- Korea Institute of Medical Microrobotics, Gwangju 61011, Republic of Korea;
| | - Eunpyo Choi
- Robot Research Initiative, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (H.X.C.); (E.C.)
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungjeon Kang
- Robot Research Initiative, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; (H.X.C.); (E.C.)
- Graduate School of Data Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
- College of AI Convergence, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
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31
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Chen Q, Liu FW, Cho SK, Kim K. 3-D real-time ultrasound tracking of acoustically actuated swimming microdrone. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1547. [PMID: 38233589 PMCID: PMC10794230 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52044-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Maneuverable microswimmers/microdrones that navigate in hard-to-reach spaces inside human bodies hold a great potential for various biomedical applications. Acoustically actuated microswimmers have already demonstrated feasibility. However, for eventual translation of this technology, a robust 3-D tracking strategy for the microswimmer is particularly required. This paper presents our lab-designed 3-D ultrasound tracking system for real-time tracking of an acoustically actuated 3-D swimming microdrone. The ultrasound tracking system utilizing two ultrasound probes, a step motor and a host controller, was built to track the 3-D arbitrary motion of the microdrone in real-time. The performance of tracking was evaluated in the benchtop experiments by comparing the reconstructed trajectories with synchronized camera recordings. The ultrasound tracking system showed high reliability, with an average error of less than 0.3 mm across six different trials when compared to camera tracking. The results demonstrated the capability of our lab-designed 3-D ultrasound tracking system in accurately tracking the undetermined motion of the acoustic actuated 3-D swimming microdrone in real-time. The developed tracking system holds promise as a potential approach for biomedical applications and could pave the way for future clinical translation of the microswimmer technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyang Chen
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 623A Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine & Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Fang-Wei Liu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Sung Kwon Cho
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA
| | - Kang Kim
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, 623A Scaife Hall, 3550 Terrace Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Center for Ultrasound Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics, Department of Medicine & Heart and Vascular Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, 15261, USA.
- McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
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32
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S A, V S D, More P, Pujala RK, Dhara S. Electrophoretic propulsion of matchstick-shaped magnetodielectric particles in the presence of external magnetic fields in a nematic liquid crystal. SOFT MATTER 2024; 20:535-545. [PMID: 38126395 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm01382k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Synthesis of micro- and nanoparticles of pre-designed shape and surface properties is an integral part of soft and synthetic active matter. We report synthesis of matchstick-shaped (MS) magnetodielectric particles and demonstrate their potential as active agents with field-controllable trajectories in a nematic liquid crystal (NLC). The MS particles with homeotropic anchoring in NLCs align either parallel or perpendicular to the director depending on the dipolar or quadrupolar director distortions. When subjected to transverse electric and magnetic fields, the particles experience electric and magnetic torques trying to align them in the respective field directions. At equilibrium, the long axis is tilted at an angle with respect to the director. The change in orientation alters the surrounding elastic distortion, which results in unbalanced electroosmotic flows. These flows provide the necessary impetus for propelling the particles in various directions with different velocities depending on their orientations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Archana S
- School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India.
| | - Devika V S
- School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India.
| | - Prasanna More
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Pujala
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Tirupati, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, 517507, India
| | - Surajit Dhara
- School of Physics, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad-500046, India.
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33
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Urso M, Bruno L, Dattilo S, Carroccio SC, Mirabella S. Band Engineering versus Catalysis: Enhancing the Self-Propulsion of Light-Powered MXene-Derived Metal-TiO 2 Micromotors To Degrade Polymer Chains. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:1293-1307. [PMID: 38134036 PMCID: PMC10788834 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c13470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Light-powered micro- and nanomotors based on photocatalytic semiconductors convert light into mechanical energy, allowing self-propulsion and various functions. Despite recent progress, the ongoing quest to enhance their speed remains crucial, as it holds the potential for further accelerating mass transfer-limited chemical reactions and physical processes. This study focuses on multilayered MXene-derived metal-TiO2 micromotors with different metal materials to investigate the impact of electronic properties of the metal-semiconductor junction, such as energy band bending and built-in electric field, on self-propulsion. By asymmetrically depositing Au or Ag layers on thermally annealed Ti3C2Tx MXene microparticles using sputtering, Janus structures are formed with Schottky junctions at the metal-semiconductor interface. Under UV light irradiation, Au-TiO2 micromotors show higher self-propulsion velocities due to the stronger built-in electric field, enabling efficient photogenerated charge carrier separation within the semiconductor and higher hole accumulation beneath the Au layer. On the contrary, in 0.1 wt % H2O2, Ag-TiO2 micromotors reach higher velocities both in the presence and absence of UV light irradiation, owing to the superior catalytic properties of Ag in H2O2 decomposition. Due to the widespread use of plastics and polymers, and the consequent occurrence of nano/microplastics and polymeric waste in water, Au-TiO2 micromotors were applied in water remediation to break down polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains, which were used as a model for polymeric pollutants in water. These findings reveal the interplay between electronic properties and catalytic activity in metal-semiconductor junctions, offering insights into the future design of powerful light-driven micro- and nanomotors with promising implications for water treatment and photocatalysis applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Urso
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Astronomia “Ettore Majorana”, Università degli Studi di Catania, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
- CNR-IMM, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Luca Bruno
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Astronomia “Ettore Majorana”, Università degli Studi di Catania, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
- CNR-IMM, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Sandro Dattilo
- CNR-IPCB, Catania Unit, via Paolo Gaifami
18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | | | - Salvo Mirabella
- Dipartimento
di Fisica e Astronomia “Ettore Majorana”, Università degli Studi di Catania, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
- CNR-IMM, via S. Sofia 64, Catania 95123, Italy
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34
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Zhong S, Xin Z, Hou Y, Li Y, Huang HW, Sun T, Shi Q, Wang H. Double-Modal Locomotion of a Hydrogel Ultra-Soft Magnetic Miniature Robot with Switchable Forms. CYBORG AND BIONIC SYSTEMS 2024; 6:0077. [PMID: 38435709 PMCID: PMC10907021 DOI: 10.34133/cbsystems.0077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Flexible miniature robots are expected to enter difficult-to-reach areas in vivo to carry out targeted operations, attracting widespread attention. However, it is challenging for the existing soft miniature robots to substantially alter their stable shape once the structure is designed. This limitation leads to a fixed motion mode, which subsequently restricts their operating environment. In this study, we designed a biocompatible flexible miniature robot with a variable stable form that is capable of adapting to complex terrain environments through multiple movement modes. Inspired by the reversible stretching reaction of alginate saline gel stimulated by changes in environmental ion concentration, we manufactured a morphologically changeable super-soft hydrogel miniature robot body. According to the stretch and contraction shapes of the flexible hydrogel miniature robot, we designed magnetic fields for swing and rolling motion modes to realize multi-shape movement. The experimental results demonstrate that the deflection angle of the designed flexible miniature robot is reversible and can reach a maximum of 180°. The flexible miniature robot can complete forward swinging in the bar stretch state and tumbling motion in the spherical state. We anticipate that flexible hydrogel miniature robots with multiple morphologies and multimodal motion have great potential for biomedical applications in complex, unstructured, and enclosed living environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihao Zhong
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering,
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Zhengyuan Xin
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering,
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yaozhen Hou
- Intelligent Robotics Institute, School of Mechatronical Engineering,
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Yang Li
- Peking University First Hospital, Beijing 100034, China
| | - Hen-Wei Huang
- Laboratory for Translational Engineering,
Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tao Sun
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems,
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Qing Shi
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Intelligent Robots and Systems,
Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Huaping Wang
- Key Laboratory of Biomimetic Robots and Systems (Beijing Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, Beijing 100081, China
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35
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Dziuba MV, Müller FD, Pósfai M, Schüler D. Exploring the host range for genetic transfer of magnetic organelle biosynthesis. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:115-123. [PMID: 37735601 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01500-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Magnetosomes produced by magnetotactic bacteria have great potential for application in biotechnology and medicine due to their unique physicochemical properties and high biocompatibility. Attempts to transfer the genes for magnetosome biosynthesis into non-magnetic organisms have had mixed results. Here we report on a systematic study to identify key components needed for magnetosome biosynthesis after gene transfer. We transfer magnetosome genes to 25 proteobacterial hosts, generating seven new magnetosome-producing strains. We characterize the recombinant magnetosomes produced by these strains and demonstrate that denitrification and anaerobic photosynthesis are linked to the ability to synthesize magnetosomes upon the gene transfer. In addition, we show that the number of magnetosomes synthesized by a foreign host negatively correlates with the guanine-cytosine content difference between the host and the gene donor. Our findings have profound implications for the generation of magnetized living cells and the potential for transgenic biogenic magnetic nanoparticle production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina V Dziuba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Frank-Dietrich Müller
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Mihály Pósfai
- ELKH-PE Environmental Mineralogy Research Group, Veszprém, Hungary
- Research Institute of Biomolecular and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Dirk Schüler
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.
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36
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Zhang F, Li Z, Chen C, Luan H, Fang RH, Zhang L, Wang J. Biohybrid Microalgae Robots: Design, Fabrication, Materials, and Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024; 36:e2303714. [PMID: 37471001 PMCID: PMC10799182 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202303714] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The integration of microorganisms and engineered artificial components has shown considerable promise for creating biohybrid microrobots. The unique features of microalgae make them attractive candidates as natural actuation materials for the design of biohybrid microrobotic systems. In this review, microalgae-based biohybrid microrobots are introduced for diverse biomedical and environmental applications. The distinct propulsion and phototaxis behaviors of green microalgae, as well as important properties from other photosynthetic microalga systems (blue-green algae and diatom) that are crucial to constructing powerful biohybrid microrobots, will be described first. Then the focus is on chemical and physical routes for functionalizing the algae surface with diverse reactive materials toward the fabrication of advanced biohybrid microalgae robots. Finally, representative applications of such algae-driven microrobots are presented, including drug delivery, imaging, and water decontamination, highlighting the distinct advantages of these active biohybrid robots, along with future prospects and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangyu Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Zhengxing Li
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chuanrui Chen
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hao Luan
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ronnie H. Fang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Joseph Wang
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California San Diego La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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37
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Mahkam N, Aghakhani A, Sheehan D, Gardi G, Katzschmann R, Sitti M. Acoustic Streaming-Induced Multimodal Locomotion of Bubble-Based Microrobots. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2304233. [PMID: 37884484 PMCID: PMC10724404 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Acoustically-driven bubbles at the micron scale can generate strong microstreaming flows in its surrounding fluidic medium. The tunable acoustic streaming strength of oscillating microbubbles and the diversity of the generated flow patterns enable the design of fast-moving microrobots with multimodal locomotion suitable for biomedical applications. The acoustic microrobots holding two coupled microbubbles inside a rigid body are presented; trapped bubbles inside the L-shaped structure with different orifices generate various streaming flows, thus allowing multiple degrees of freedom in locomotion. The streaming pattern and mean streaming speed depend on the intensity and frequency of the acoustic wave, which can trigger four dominant locomotion modes in the microrobot, denoted as translational and rotational, spinning, rotational, and translational modes. Next, the effect of various geometrical and actuation parameters on the control and navigation of the microrobot is investigated. Furthermore, the surface-slipping multimodal locomotion, flow mixing, particle manipulation capabilities, the effective interaction of high flow rates with cells, and subsequent cancerous cell lysing abilities of the proposed microrobot are demonstrated. Overall, these results introduce a design toolbox for the next generation of acoustic microrobots with higher degrees of freedom with multimodal locomotion in biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Mahkam
- Physical Intelligence DepartmentMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems70569StuttgartGermany
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH ZurichZurich8092Switzerland
| | - Amirreza Aghakhani
- Physical Intelligence DepartmentMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems70569StuttgartGermany
- Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular SystemsUniversity of Stuttgart70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Devin Sheehan
- Physical Intelligence DepartmentMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Gaurav Gardi
- Physical Intelligence DepartmentMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Robert Katzschmann
- Department of Mechanical and Process EngineeringETH ZurichZurich8092Switzerland
| | - Metin Sitti
- Physical Intelligence DepartmentMax Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems70569StuttgartGermany
- Institute for Biomedical EngineeringETH ZurichZurich8092Switzerland
- School of MedicineKoç UniversityIstanbul34450Turkey
- College of EngineeringKoç UniversityIstanbul34450Turkey
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38
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McCaskill JS, Karnaushenko D, Zhu M, Schmidt OG. Microelectronic Morphogenesis: Smart Materials with Electronics Assembling into Artificial Organisms. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2306344. [PMID: 37814374 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Microelectronic morphogenesis is the creation and maintenance of complex functional structures by microelectronic information within shape-changing materials. Only recently has in-built information technology begun to be used to reshape materials and their functions in three dimensions to form smart microdevices and microrobots. Electronic information that controls morphology is inheritable like its biological counterpart, genetic information, and is set to open new vistas of technology leading to artificial organisms when coupled with modular design and self-assembly that can make reversible microscopic electrical connections. Three core capabilities of cells in organisms, self-maintenance (homeostatic metabolism utilizing free energy), self-containment (distinguishing self from nonself), and self-reproduction (cell division with inherited properties), once well out of reach for technology, are now within the grasp of information-directed materials. Construction-aware electronics can be used to proof-read and initiate game-changing error correction in microelectronic self-assembly. Furthermore, noncontact communication and electronically supported learning enable one to implement guided self-assembly and enhance functionality. Here, the fundamental breakthroughs that have opened the pathway to this prospective path are reviewed, the extent and way in which the core properties of life can be addressed are analyzed, and the potential and indeed necessity of such technology for sustainable high technology in society is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S McCaskill
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Venice, 30123, Italy
| | - Daniil Karnaushenko
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Minshen Zhu
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Venice, 30123, Italy
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39
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Dutta S, Noh S, Gual RS, Chen X, Pané S, Nelson BJ, Choi H. Recent Developments in Metallic Degradable Micromotors for Biomedical and Environmental Remediation Applications. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 16:41. [PMID: 38032424 PMCID: PMC10689718 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01259-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic micromotor has gained substantial attention in biomedicine and environmental remediation. Metal-based degradable micromotor composed of magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) have promise due to their nontoxic fuel-free propulsion, favorable biocompatibility, and safe excretion of degradation products Recent advances in degradable metallic micromotor have shown their fast movement in complex biological media, efficient cargo delivery and favorable biocompatibility. A noteworthy number of degradable metal-based micromotors employ bubble propulsion, utilizing water as fuel to generate hydrogen bubbles. This novel feature has projected degradable metallic micromotors for active in vivo drug delivery applications. In addition, understanding the degradation mechanism of these micromotors is also a key parameter for their design and performance. Its propulsion efficiency and life span govern the overall performance of a degradable metallic micromotor. Here we review the design and recent advancements of metallic degradable micromotors. Furthermore, we describe the controlled degradation, efficient in vivo drug delivery, and built-in acid neutralization capabilities of degradable micromotors with versatile biomedical applications. Moreover, we discuss micromotors' efficacy in detecting and destroying environmental pollutants. Finally, we address the limitations and future research directions of degradable metallic micromotors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Dutta
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
- DGIST-ETH Microrobotics Research Center, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungmin Noh
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
- DGIST-ETH Microrobotics Research Center, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Roger Sanchis Gual
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - 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, People's Republic of China
| | - Salvador Pané
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bradley J Nelson
- Multi-Scale Robotics Lab, Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Systems, ETH Zurich, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Hongsoo Choi
- Department of Robotics and Mechatronics Engineering, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
- DGIST-ETH Microrobotics Research Center, DGIST, Daegu, 42988, Republic of Korea.
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40
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Wang Q, Yang S, Zhang L. Untethered Micro/Nanorobots for Remote Sensing: Toward Intelligent Platform. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2023; 16:40. [PMID: 38032461 PMCID: PMC10689342 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-023-01261-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Untethered micro/nanorobots that can wirelessly control their motion and deformation state have gained enormous interest in remote sensing applications due to their unique motion characteristics in various media and diverse functionalities. Researchers are developing micro/nanorobots as innovative tools to improve sensing performance and miniaturize sensing systems, enabling in situ detection of substances that traditional sensing methods struggle to achieve. Over the past decade of development, significant research progress has been made in designing sensing strategies based on micro/nanorobots, employing various coordinated control and sensing approaches. This review summarizes the latest developments on micro/nanorobots for remote sensing applications by utilizing the self-generated signals of the robots, robot behavior, microrobotic manipulation, and robot-environment interactions. Providing recent studies and relevant applications in remote sensing, we also discuss the challenges and future perspectives facing micro/nanorobots-based intelligent sensing platforms to achieve sensing in complex environments, translating lab research achievements into widespread real applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Design and Manufacture of Micro-Nano Biomedical Instruments, School of Mechanical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 211189, People's Republic of China.
| | - Shihao Yang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China.
- Chow Yuk Ho Technology Centre for Innovative Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China.
- T Stone Robotics Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, 999077, People's Republic of China.
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Chuang WH, Pislyagin E, Lin LY, Menchinskaya E, Chernikov O, Kozhemyako V, Gorpenchenko T, Manzhulo I, Chaikina E, Agafonova I, Silchenko A, Avilov S, Stonik V, Tzou SC, Aminin D, Wang YM. Holothurian triterpene glycoside cucumarioside A 2-2 induces macrophages activation and polarization in cancer immunotherapy. Cancer Cell Int 2023; 23:292. [PMID: 38001420 PMCID: PMC10668486 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-023-03141-z] [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: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite intensive developments of adoptive T cell and NK cell therapies, the efficacy against solid tumors remains elusive. Our study demonstrates that macrophage-based cell therapy could be a potent therapeutic option against solid tumors. METHODS To this end, we determine the effect of a natural triterpene glycoside, cucumarioside A2-2 (CA2-2), on the polarization of mouse macrophages into the M1 phenotype, and explore the antitumor activity of the polarized macrophage. The polarization of CA2-2-pretreated macrophages was analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal imaging. The anti-cancer activity of CA2-2 macrophages was evaluated against 4T1 breast cancer cells and EAC cells in vitro and syngeneic mouse model in vivo. RESULTS Incubation of murine macrophages with CA2-2 led to polarization into the M1 phenotype, and the CA2-2-pretreated macrophages could selectively target and kill various types of cancer in vitro. Notably, loading near-infrared (NIR) fluorochrome-labeled nanoparticles, MnMEIO-mPEG-CyTE777, into macrophages substantiated that M1 macrophages can target and penetrate tumor tissues in vivo efficiently. CONCLUSION In this study, CA2-2-polarized M1 macrophages significantly attenuated tumor growth and prolonged mice survival in the syngeneic mouse models. Therefore, ex vivo CA2-2 activation of mouse macrophages can serve as a useful model for subsequent antitumor cellular immunotherapy developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Han Chuang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS²B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Evgeny Pislyagin
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Liang-Yu Lin
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Ekaterina Menchinskaya
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Oleg Chernikov
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Valery Kozhemyako
- Pacific State Medical University, Ostryakova Avenue, Building 2, Vladivostok, 690002, Russia
| | - Tatiana Gorpenchenko
- Federal Scientific Center of East Asia Terrestrial Biodiversity, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Igor Manzhulo
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, Palchevskogo str. 17, Vladivostok, 690041, Russia
| | - Elena Chaikina
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Irina Agafonova
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Alexandra Silchenko
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Sergey Avilov
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Valentin Stonik
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia
| | - Shey-Cherng Tzou
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS²B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan
| | - Dmitry Aminin
- Far Eastern Branch, G.B. Elyakov Pacific Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Science, 159, Pr. 100 let Vladivostoku, Vladivostok, 690022, Russia.
- Department of Biomedical Science and Environmental Biology, Kaohsiung Medical University, No. 100, Shin-Chuan 1st Road, Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City, 80708, Taiwan.
| | - Yun-Ming Wang
- Department of Biological Science and Technology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Bioengineering, College of Biological Science and Technology, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
- Center for Intelligent Drug Systems and Smart Bio-devices (IDS²B), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 300, Taiwan.
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Wrede P, Aghakhani A, Bozuyuk U, Yildiz E, Sitti M. Acoustic Trapping and Manipulation of Hollow Microparticles under Fluid Flow Using a Single-Lens Focused Ultrasound Transducer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15. [PMID: 37917969 PMCID: PMC10658455 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c11656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microparticle manipulation and trapping play pivotal roles in biotechnology. To achieve effective manipulation within fluidic flow conditions and confined spaces, it is necessary to consider the physical properties of microparticles and the types of trapping forces applied. While acoustic waves have shown potential for manipulating microparticles, the existing setups involve complex actuation mechanisms and unstable microbubbles. Consequently, the need persists for an easily deployable acoustic actuation setup with stable microparticles. Here, we propose the use of hollow borosilicate microparticles possessing a rigid thin shell, which can be efficiently trapped and manipulated using a single-lens focused ultrasound (FUS) transducer under physiologically relevant flow conditions. These hollow microparticles offer stability and advantageous acoustic properties. They can be scaled up and mass-produced, making them suitable for systemic delivery. Our research demonstrates the successful trapping dynamics of FUS within circular tubings of varying diameters, validating the effectiveness of the method under realistic flow rates and ultrasound amplitudes. We also showcase the ability to remove hollow microparticles by steering the FUS transducer against the flow. Furthermore, we present potential biomedical applications, such as active cell tagging and navigation in bifurcated channels as well as ultrasound imaging in mouse cadaver liver tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Wrede
- 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
- Institute
of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, University of Stuttgart, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Ugur Bozuyuk
- 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
| | - 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 School of Engineering, Koç
University, Istanbul, 34450, Turkey
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43
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Liu X, Jing Y, Xu C, Wang X, Xie X, Zhu Y, Dai L, Wang H, Wang L, Yu S. Medical Imaging Technology for Micro/Nanorobots. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2872. [PMID: 37947717 PMCID: PMC10648532 DOI: 10.3390/nano13212872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to their enormous potential to be navigated through complex biological media or narrow capillaries, microrobots have demonstrated their potential in a variety of biomedical applications, such as assisted fertilization, targeted drug delivery, tissue repair, and regeneration. Numerous initial studies have been conducted to demonstrate the biomedical applications in test tubes and in vitro environments. Microrobots can reach human areas that are difficult to reach by existing medical devices through precise navigation. Medical imaging technology is essential for locating and tracking this small treatment machine for evaluation. This article discusses the progress of imaging in tracking the imaging of micro and nano robots in vivo and analyzes the current status of imaging technology for microrobots. The working principle and imaging parameters (temporal resolution, spatial resolution, and penetration depth) of each imaging technology are discussed in depth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuejia Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Yizhan Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Chengxin Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Xiaopeng Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Yanhe Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Lizhou Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Haocheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Lin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; (X.L.); (Y.J.); (C.X.); (X.W.); (X.X.); (Y.Z.); (L.D.); (L.W.)
| | - Shimin Yu
- College of Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
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Li Y, Cong Z, Xie L, Tang S, Ren C, Peng X, Tang D, Wan F, Han H, Zhang X, Gao W, Wu S. Magnetically Powered Immunogenic Macrophage Microrobots for Targeted Multimodal Cancer Therapy. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2301489. [PMID: 37300342 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202301489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Motile microrobots open a new realm for disease treatment. However, the concerns of possible immune elimination, targeted capability and limited therapeutic avenue of microrobots constrain its practical biomedical applications. Herein, a biogenic macrophage-based microrobot loaded with magnetic nanoparticles and bioengineered bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), capable of magnetic propulsion, tumor targeting, and multimodal cancer therapy is reported. Such cell robots preserve intrinsic properties of macrophages for tumor suppression and targeting, and bioengineered OMVs for antitumor immune regulation and fused anticancer peptides. Cell robots display efficient magnetic propulsion and directional migration in the confined space. In vivo tests show that cell robots can accumulate at the tumor site upon magnetic manipulation, coupling with tumor tropism of macrophages to greatly improve the efficacy of its multimodal therapy, including tumor inhibition of macrophages, immune stimulation, and antitumor peptides of OMVs. This technology offers an attractive avenue to design intelligent medical microrobots with remote manipulation and multifunctional therapy capabilities for practical precision treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
| | - 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
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Chunyu Ren
- 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
| | - Xiqi Peng
- 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
| | - Daitian 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
| | - Fangchen Wan
- 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
| | - Hong Han
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Xueji Zhang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Health Science Centre, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Wei Gao
- Andrew and Peggy Cherng Department of Medical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - 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, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518116, P. R. China
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Zhu S, Cheng Y, Wang J, Liu G, Luo T, Li X, Yang S, Yang R. Biohybrid magnetic microrobots: An intriguing and promising platform in biomedicine. Acta Biomater 2023; 169:88-106. [PMID: 37572981 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2023.08.005] [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] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
Biohybrid magnetic microrobots (BMMs) have emerged as an exciting class of microrobots and have been considered as a promising platform in biomedicine. Many microorganisms and body's own cells show intriguing properties, such as morphological characteristics, biosafety, and taxis abilities (e.g., chemotaxis, aerotaxis), which have made them attractive for the fabrication of microrobots. For remote controllability and sustainable actuation, magnetic components are usually incorporated onto these biological entities, and other functionalized non-biological components (e.g., therapeutic agents) are also included for specific applications. This review highlights the latest developments in BMMs with a focus on their biomedical applications. It starts by introducing the fundamental understanding of the propulsion system at the microscale in a magnetically driven manner, followed by a summary of diverse BMMs based on different microorganisms and body's own cells along with their relevant applications. Finally, the review discusses how BMMs contribute to the advancements of microrobots, the current challenges of using BMMs in practical clinical settings, and the future perspectives of this exciting field. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Biohybrid magnetic microrobots (BMMs), composed of biological entities and functional parts, hold great potential and serve as a novel and promising platform for biomedical applications such as targeted drug delivery. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advancements in BMMs for biomedical applications, mainly focused on the representative propulsion modalities in a magnetically propelled manner and diverse designs of BMMs based on different biological entities, including microorganisms and body's own cells. We hope this review can provide ideas for the future design, development, and innovation of micro/nanorobots in the field of biomedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilu Zhu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Yifan Cheng
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Jian Wang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Guangli Liu
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Tingting Luo
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Xiaojian Li
- Department of Management, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Shanlin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Process Optimization and Intelligent Decision-Making (Ministry of Education), Hefei University of Technology, Hefei 230009, China.
| | - Runhuai Yang
- School of Biomedical Engineering, 3D-Printing and Tissue Engineering Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
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Winkler R, Ciria M, Ahmad M, Plank H, Marcuello C. A Review of the Current State of Magnetic Force Microscopy to Unravel the Magnetic Properties of Nanomaterials Applied in Biological Systems and Future Directions for Quantum Technologies. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 13:2585. [PMID: 37764614 PMCID: PMC10536909 DOI: 10.3390/nano13182585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Magnetism plays a pivotal role in many biological systems. However, the intensity of the magnetic forces exerted between magnetic bodies is usually low, which demands the development of ultra-sensitivity tools for proper sensing. In this framework, magnetic force microscopy (MFM) offers excellent lateral resolution and the possibility of conducting single-molecule studies like other single-probe microscopy (SPM) techniques. This comprehensive review attempts to describe the paramount importance of magnetic forces for biological applications by highlighting MFM's main advantages but also intrinsic limitations. While the working principles are described in depth, the article also focuses on novel micro- and nanofabrication procedures for MFM tips, which enhance the magnetic response signal of tested biomaterials compared to commercial nanoprobes. This work also depicts some relevant examples where MFM can quantitatively assess the magnetic performance of nanomaterials involved in biological systems, including magnetotactic bacteria, cryptochrome flavoproteins, and magnetic nanoparticles that can interact with animal tissues. Additionally, the most promising perspectives in this field are highlighted to make the reader aware of upcoming challenges when aiming toward quantum technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Winkler
- Christian Doppler Laboratory—DEFINE, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria; (R.W.); (H.P.)
| | - Miguel Ciria
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Departamento de Física de la Materia Condensada, Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Margaret Ahmad
- Photobiology Research Group, IBPS, UMR8256 CNRS, Sorbonne Université, 75005 Paris, France;
| | - Harald Plank
- Christian Doppler Laboratory—DEFINE, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria; (R.W.); (H.P.)
- Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Electron Microscopy, Graz University of Technology, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Carlos Marcuello
- Instituto de Nanociencia y Materiales de Aragón (INMA), CSIC-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Laboratorio de Microscopias Avanzadas (LMA), Universidad de Zaragoza, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
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Xiong Y, Yuan H, Olvera de la Cruz M. Janus magnetoelastic membrane swimmers. SOFT MATTER 2023; 19:6721-6730. [PMID: 37622382 DOI: 10.1039/d3sm00788j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Soft swimming microrobots have attracted considerable attention due to their potential applications in diverse fields ranging from biomedicines to environmental remediation. The locomotion control is of importance to the research of micromachines and microrobots. Inspired by the motility strategies of living microorganisms, such as flagella, cilia, and euglenoids, we focus on propulsion mechanisms with a design of Janus magnetoelastic crystalline membrane microswimmers actuated by time-varying magnetic fields. Such a Janus swimmer consists of a ferromagnetic cap completed by a magnetoelastic membrane body, where superparamagnetic particles are uniformly distributed on the surface. Under the influence of external magnetic fields, the swimmer undergoes complex shape transitions due to the interplay between the magnetic dipole-dipole interactions, the elasticity of the magnetoelastic membranes, and also the hydrodynamics of surrounding fluids. We show that those shape changes are nonreciprocal, which can generate locomotion such that the propulsion speed can be optimized by tailoring the membrane elastic properties. Besides, we also demonstrate that the Janus swimmer can be magnetically guided in a spiral trajectory. With such adequate control of locomotion in both speed and direction via non-invasive magnetic fields, this study provides another promising candidate design for the future development of microswimmers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Xiong
- Center for Computation & Theory of Soft Materials, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
| | - Hang Yuan
- Applied Physics Graduate Program, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Monica Olvera de la Cruz
- Center for Computation & Theory of Soft Materials, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA.
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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48
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Christiansen MG, Stöcklin LR, Forbrigger C, Venkatesh SA, Schuerle S. Inductive sensing of magnetic microrobots under actuation by rotating magnetic fields. PNAS NEXUS 2023; 2:pgad297. [PMID: 37746329 PMCID: PMC10516638 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgad297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The engineering space for magnetically manipulated biomedical microrobots is rapidly expanding. This includes synthetic, bioinspired, and biohybrid designs, some of which may eventually assume clinical roles aiding drug delivery or performing other therapeutic functions. Actuating these microrobots with rotating magnetic fields (RMFs) and the magnetic torques they exert offers the advantages of efficient mechanical energy transfer and scalable instrumentation. Nevertheless, closed-loop control still requires a complementary noninvasive imaging modality to reveal position and trajectory, such as ultrasound or X-rays, increasing complexity and posing a barrier to use. Here, we investigate the possibility of combining actuation and sensing via inductive detection of model microrobots under field magnitudes ranging from 100 s of microtesla to 10 s of millitesla rotating at 1 to 100 Hz. A prototype apparatus accomplishes this using adjustment mechanisms for both phase and amplitude to finely balance sense and compensation coils, suppressing the background signal of the driving RMF by 90 dB. Rather than relying on frequency decomposition to analyze signals, we show that, for rotational actuation, phase decomposition is more appropriate. We demonstrate inductive detection of a micromagnet placed in two distinct viscous environments using RMFs with fixed and time-varying frequencies. Finally, we show how magnetostatic selection fields can spatially isolate inductive signals from a micromagnet actuated by an RMF, with the resolution set by the relative magnitude of the selection field and the RMF. The concepts developed here lay a foundation for future closed-loop control schemes for magnetic microrobots based on simultaneous inductive sensing and actuation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucien R Stöcklin
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel 4058, Switzerland
| | - Cameron Forbrigger
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Shashaank Abhinav Venkatesh
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117575, Singapore
| | - Simone Schuerle
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8092, Switzerland
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49
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Xu Y, Xiao B, Balakumar L, Obstein KL, Dong X. Wireless Millimeter-Size Soft Climbing Robots with Omnidirectional Steerability on Tissue Surfaces. IEEE Robot Autom Lett 2023; 8:5720-5726. [PMID: 37744315 PMCID: PMC10515379 DOI: 10.1109/lra.2023.3300570] [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] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Wirelessly actuated miniature soft robots actuated by magnetic fields that can overcome gravity by climbing soft and wet tissues are promising for accessing challenging enclosed and confined spaces with minimal invasion for targeted medical operation. However, existing designs lack the directional steerability to traverse complex terrains and perform agile medical operations. Here we propose a rod-shaped millimeter-size climbing robot that can be omnidirectionally steered with a steering angle up to 360 degrees during climbing beyond existing soft miniature robots. The design innovation includes the rod-shaped robot body, its special magnetization profile, and the spherical robot footpads, allowing directional bending of the body under external magnetic fields and out-of-plane motion of the body for delivery of medical patches. With further integrated bio-adhesives and microstructures on the footpads, we experimentally demonstrated inverted climbing of the robot on porcine gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissues and deployment of a medical patch for targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Xu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
| | - Boyang Xiao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
| | - Lohit Balakumar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
| | - Keith L. Obstein
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
- Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Xiaoguang Dong
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37215, USA
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50
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Lu Q, Yu H, Zhao T, Zhu G, Li X. Nanoparticles with transformable physicochemical properties for overcoming biological barriers. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:13202-13223. [PMID: 37526946 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr01332d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, tremendous progress has been made in the development of nanomedicines for advanced therapeutics, yet their unsatisfactory targeting ability hinders the further application of nanomedicines. Nanomaterials undergo a series of processes, from intravenous injection to precise delivery at target sites. Each process faces different or even contradictory requirements for nanoparticles to pass through biological barriers. To overcome biological barriers, researchers have been developing nanomedicines with transformable physicochemical properties in recent years. Physicochemical transformability enables nanomedicines to responsively switch their physicochemical properties, including size, shape, surface charge, etc., thus enabling them to cross a series of biological barriers and achieve maximum delivery efficiency. In this review, we summarize recent developments in nanomedicines with transformable physicochemical properties. First, the biological dilemmas faced by nanomedicines are analyzed. Furthermore, the design and synthesis of nanomaterials with transformable physicochemical properties in terms of size, charge, and shape are summarized. Other switchable physicochemical parameters such as mobility, roughness and mechanical properties, which have been sought after most recently, are also discussed. Finally, the prospects and challenges for nanomedicines with transformable physicochemical properties are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
| | - Hongyue Yu
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
| | - Tiancong Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
| | - Guanjia Zhu
- Institute of Nanochemistry and Nanobiology, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, P. R. China.
| | - Xiaomin Li
- Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Advanced Materials, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (2011-iChEM), Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, P. R. China.
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