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Multifunctional biohybrid magnetite microrobots for imaging-guided therapy
Xiaohui Yan1, Qi Zhou2, Melissa Vincent3
1Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Science Robotics
|November 7, 2020
Summary
Biohybrid magnetic microrobots made from Spirulina algae offer precise navigation and imaging in biological fluids. These superparamagnetic microswimmers show potential for minimally invasive diagnostics and cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
- Robotics
Background:
- Magnetic microrobots offer precise remote control for minimally invasive diagnostics and treatment.
- Challenges remain in motion tracking, biocompatibility, and in vivo efficacy for clinical translation.
- Biohybrid approaches integrate biological and engineered components for enhanced functionality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop multifunctional biohybrid magnetic microrobots for in vivo applications.
- To demonstrate controlled navigation, imaging, and therapeutic capabilities of these microrobots.
- To address limitations of current microrobotic technologies for deep organ interventions.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of helical microswimmers from Spirulina microalgae using a magnetite (Fe3O4) dip-coating process.
- Utilizing superparamagnetic properties for magnetic field-guided propulsion and navigation in biofluids.
- Employing in vivo fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for tracking.
Main Results:
- Spirulina-based microswimmers demonstrated robust navigation in various biofluids.
- In vivo fluorescence imaging and MRI successfully tracked microswimmers in rodent stomachs.
- Microswimmers exhibited tunable biodegradation and selective cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines based on Fe3O4 coating thickness.
Conclusions:
- The developed biohybrid microrobots represent a promising platform for in vivo imaging-guided therapy.
- This work serves as a proof of concept for engineering multifunctional microrobotic and nanorobotic devices.
- Further development could lead to advanced tools for preclinical and clinical applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
