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Related Concept Videos

Microtubules in Cell Motility01:24

Microtubules in Cell Motility

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Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...
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Microtubule Associated Motor Proteins01:32

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Eukaryotic cells have different motor proteins for transporting various cargo within the cell. These motor proteins differ based on the filament they associate with, the direction they move within the cell, and the type of cargo they transport. Motor proteins that associate with microtubules are known as microtubule-associated motor proteins. There are two families of microtubule-associated motor proteins —Kinesins and Dyneins. Both these proteins assist in the transport of cellular...
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The Movement of Organelles and Vesicles01:43

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In eukaryotic cells,  cytoskeletal filaments such as actin, microtubules, and intermediate filaments form a mesh-like cytoskeletal network. These filaments serve as tracks for transporting cellular cargo. Specialized motor proteins use the chemical energy stored in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) for this transport. During interphase, microtubules are polarized, with the plus-end towards the cell periphery and the minus-end towards the cell center. Two microtubule-associated motor proteins,...
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Motor Units00:46

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A motor unit consists of two main components: a single efferent motor neuron (i.e., a neuron that carries impulses away from the central nervous system) and all of the muscle fibers it innervates. The motor neuron may innervate multiple muscle fibers, which are single cells, but only one motor neuron innervates a single muscle fiber.
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Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

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Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
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Microtubules01:35

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There are three types of cytoskeletal structures in eukaryotic cells—microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the thickest of these fibers. Microtubules carry out a variety of functions that include cell structure and support, transport of organelles, cell motility (movement), and the separation of chromosomes during cell division.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 15, 2025

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions
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Cell and cellular component based micro/nanomotors.

Kaige Zheng1, Lingke Li1, Qian Li1

  • 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Henan Key Laboratory of Targeting Therapy and Diagnosis for Critical Diseases, Zhengzhou 450001, China; Key Laboratory of Advanced Drug Preparation Technologies, Ministry of Education, Zhengzhou 450001, China.

Acta Biomaterialia
|July 15, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Cellular micro/nanomotors (MNMs) leverage nanotechnology for advanced biomedical applications. These biocompatible motors offer improved drug delivery and imaging, overcoming traditional limitations.

Keywords:
Autonomous motionBiocompatibilityCell/cellular component based micro/nanomotorsTargeted drug delivery

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Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Nanotechnology
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are a rapidly advancing area of nanotechnology with significant biomedical potential.
  • Traditional drug delivery methods face challenges in targeting and bioavailability, which MNMs can overcome.
  • Cellular or cellular component-based nanomotors offer superior biocompatibility and biodegradability compared to other materials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the preparation methods and applications of cell/cellular component-based micro/nanomotors.
  • To highlight the advantages of these bio-based nanomotors in biomedical fields.
  • To discuss the current status, challenges, and future prospects of this emerging technology.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent advances (last three years) in cellular and bionic micro-nanomotors.
  • Focus on core advantages and applications, particularly in precise drug delivery and multifunctional integration.
  • Analysis of key issues, challenges, and future research directions.

Main Results:

  • Cellular micro/nanomotors demonstrate significant potential for targeted drug delivery, substance delivery, and imaging.
  • These bio-inspired motors combine cellular biocompatibility with the precise control of nanomotors.
  • Recent progress highlights their role in fabricating artificial cells and micro-robots.

Conclusions:

  • Cellular and cellular component-based micro-nanomotors represent a promising frontier at the intersection of nanotechnology and biomedicine.
  • Further research is needed to address current challenges and fully realize their potential in clinical applications.
  • This review provides insights for designing and fabricating advanced bio-based micro/nanomotors for biomedical applications.