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Enzyme-Powered Hollow Nanorobots for Active Microsampling Enabled by Thermoresponsive Polymer Gating
Xiaojia Liu1,2, Wenjun Chen1,2, Dongfang Zhao1,2
1Sauvage Laboratory for Smart Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Guangdong, Shenzhen 518055, China.
ACS Nano
|July 11, 2022
Summary
Researchers developed a smart nanorobot for molecular sampling. This temperature-responsive device precisely loads, releases, and monitors cargo using integrated sensors and self-propulsion for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology and Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Intelligent micro/nanorobots require precise molecular sample capture, loading, and real-time monitoring.
- Existing nanorobot platforms often lack integrated control over cargo management and in-situ detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a temperature-responsive microsampling nanorobot for controllable molecular capture and real-time cargo monitoring.
- To demonstrate the nanorobot's self-propulsion, cargo loading efficiency regulation, and magnetically guided transportation.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles encapsulating gold nanodots and surface-grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide).
- Utilizing temperature-responsive polymer for on-demand molecular loading/release via nanochannel gating.
- Employing surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) hotspots for real-time cargo detection and integrating nickel for magnetic guidance.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated temperature-controlled switching of nanochannels for molecular loading and release.
- Achieved real-time monitoring of molecular cargo using embedded SERS hotspots.
- Showcased temperature-dependent self-propulsion and magnetically guided transportation of cargo with enhanced loading efficiency.
Conclusions:
- Developed a versatile nanorobot platform capable of precise molecular sampling and controlled cargo delivery.
- The nanorobot integrates sensing, actuation, and magnetic guidance for advanced biomedical applications.
- This technology holds significant potential for precision medicine, including disease diagnosis and targeted drug delivery.
