Shape-Morphing Microrobots for Localized Cancer Treatment

Researchers have designed magnetically propelled microrobots capable of targeted drug delivery. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, a shape-morphing microfish (SMMF) is designed to encapsulate a drug (doxorubicin (DOX)) by closing its mouth in phosphate-buffered saline and release the drug by opening its mouth in a slightly acidic solution. According to the researchers, “With the continuous optimization of size, motion control, and imaging technology, these magnetic SMMRs will provide ideal platforms for complex microcargo operations and on-demand drug release.”
Credit:
Environmentally Adaptive Shape-Morphing Microrobots for Localized Cancer Cell Treatment
Chen Xin, Dongdong Jin, Yanlei Hu, Liang Yang, Rui Li, Li Wang, Zhongguo Ren, Dawei Wang, Shengyun Ji, Kai Hu, Deng Pan, Hao Wu, Wulin Zhu, Zuojun Shen, Yucai Wang, Jiawen Li, Li Zhang, Dong Wu, and Jiaru Chu
ACS Nano, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c06651