Magnetotactic T-Budbots to Kill-n-Clean Biofilms.

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Persistent biofilm infections pose a significant challenge to current antibiotic therapies.
• Intelligent micromachines offer a potential solution for actively disrupting bacterial communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize biocompatible micromotors from tea buds for biofilm disruption.
• To investigate the magnetic manipulation and biofilm-clearing capabilities of these micromotors.
• To enhance the antibacterial efficacy by integrating and controlling the release of antibiotics.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of biocompatible micromotors (T-Budbots) from tea buds.
• Decoration of T-Budbots with magnetite nanoparticles for magnetic guidance.
• Integration and pH-controlled release of ciprofloxacin antibiotic.
• Evaluation of biofilm removal and fragmentation efficacy in vitro.
• Assessment of antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.

Main Results:

• T-Budbots demonstrated magnetic drivability and precision in removing and fragmenting biofilms.
• The porous structure of T-Budbots allowed for electrostatic integration of ciprofloxacin.
• Antibiotic release was effectively controlled by pH, with enhanced release in acidic biofilm environments.
• Significant increase in antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria was observed.

Conclusions:

• Plant-based T-Budbots represent a novel magneto-robotic platform for non-invasive biofilm disruption.
• This approach offers a safe and effective strategy for dismantling harmful biofilm infections.
• pH-controlled antibiotic release enhances the therapeutic potential of these bio-micromotors.