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Nanozyme Microrobots: Programmable Spatiotemporal Catalysis for Targeted Therapy and Diagnostics
Hong Huy Tran1,2,3,4, Nil Kanatha Pandey2,3,4,5, David P Cormode5,6
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
Abstract:
Nanozyme microrobots combine catalytic nanomaterials with small-scale robotic control to deliver programmable, spatiotemporal catalysis for biomedical applications with precision. Actuated by external stimuli, such as magnetic, acoustic, optical, or chemical gradients, these systems localize and modulate catalytic activity on demand, overcoming long-standing limitations of bulk catalysis, including poor spatial precision, restricted substrate access, and limited adaptability in complex biological environments. By uniting targeted navigation with stimulus-responsive activation, nanozyme microrobots facilitate precise intervention in anatomically challenging and inaccessible niches, from biofilms to solid tumors, and support theranostic workflows with real-time readouts. This review focuses on design principles for integrating nanozymes with microrobotics, surveys actuation, automation, and control strategies, and highlights biomedical applications across biofilm infection control, oncology, and catalytic diagnostics. Together, the convergence of nanozyme catalysis and microrobotic mobility is yielding versatile, adaptive platforms with the potential to transform targeted diagnostics and therapy.
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