Researchers Develop New Micro Biorobots for Drug Delivery and Treatment

2024-02-29

Microrobots for drug delivery and treatment using cells as carriers are highly promising in vivo targeted transport vehicles. Recently, researchers from the University of California, San Diego in the United States and Beijing University of Science and Technology in China jointly developed an enzyme modified platelet motor platform with autonomous exercise ability, and the results were published in the renowned journal Sicence Robotics. The title is "Enzyme-powered Janus platelet cell robots for active and targeted drug delivery".

Researchers used commercial cell culture wells to perform asymmetric urease modification on the surface of platelets. The results showed that the asymmetric distribution of urease had no significant impact on the characteristics of cells themselves, but more importantly, it brought stronger cell driving forces. Platelets modified with asymmetric enzymes in urea solution can move autonomously for a long time, significantly increasing their binding efficiency with cancer cells or bacteria, enhancing the effectiveness of targeted therapy.

The author of the article points out that using this asymmetric cell surface modification method can be easily extended to other combinations of enzymes and cells, providing more possibilities for the research and development of future cellular biorobots.

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