Micro-/Nanorobots in Antimicrobial Applications: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms pose a significant global health threat.
• Biofilms impede antibiotic penetration and lead to chronic, recurrent infections.
• Conventional therapies struggle with hard-to-reach infection sites.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advances in micro/nanorobots (MNRs) for antibacterial applications.
• To highlight novel strategies using MNRs against drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms.
• To discuss future development and clinical potential of MNRs.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on micro/nanorobots in antibacterial therapy.
• Analysis of MNR capabilities in cargo delivery, targeted treatment, and mechanical force.
• Focus on strategies addressing drug resistance and biofilm infections.

Main Results:

• MNRs demonstrate active cargo delivery and precise targeted treatment.
• MNRs enhance penetration of antibacterial agents into biofilms and infected sites.
• MNRs show potential as an alternative to conventional antibacterial therapies.

Conclusions:

• Micro/nanorobots represent a promising frontier in combating bacterial infections.
• Further development of functional and biosafety aspects of MNRs is crucial for clinical translation.
• MNRs offer novel approaches to address challenges posed by drug-resistant bacteria and biofilms.