Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Sudipta Mallick, Ramadan Abouomar, David Rivas, Max Sokolich, Fatma Ceren Kirmizitas, Aditya Dutta, Sambeeta Das
Summary: Micro-sized magnetic particles, known as microrobots, have shown potential for biomedical applications such as drug delivery and cell manipulation. This study used microrobots to deliver anticancer drugs to cancer cells, resulting in cell death. The findings confirm the promise of microrobots as precise couriers for targeted delivery of therapeutic biomolecules for cancer therapy.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Teng Hou, Tianqi Wang, Weiwei Mu, Rui Yang, Shuang Liang, Zipeng Zhang, Shunli Fu, Tong Gao, Yongjun Liu, Na Zhang
Summary: This study introduced a cell-chemotherapy strategy utilizing M1-type macrophages loaded with sorafenib-loaded lipid nanoparticles to enhance antitumor efficacy. The system showed increased tumor targeting and immunotherapy effects, making it a promising approach for cancer treatment.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yixin Wang, Zhaoting Li, Yu Chen, Allie Barrett, Fanyi Mo, Quanyin Hu
Summary: Researchers developed a nano-STING agonist-decorated microrobot platform to enhance the anti-tumor effect. Mitochondria-targeting nanoparticles (mTNPs) co-encapsulated Fe ions and STING agonist cGAMP, triggering the release of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) through Fenton reaction-induced mitochondria oxidative damage. The exogenous cGAMP and endogenous mtDNA synergistically induced potent cGAS/STING signaling activation. mTNPs were decorated onto Salmonella typhimurium VNP20009 (VNP) bacteria for tumor accumulation and deep penetration. The systemic administration of this microrobot activated both innate and adaptive immunity, improving the immunotherapeutic efficacy of STING agonists.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shuhui Song, Xinyi Li, Yongsheng Ji, Ruihong Lv, Le Wu, Haohao Wang, Mingzhuo Cao, Zhigang Xu
Summary: DDMSNs-DOX-HA, a dual-responsive and degradable drug delivery system, shows excellent drug loading capacity and targeting function for tumor cells. It exhibits higher cytotoxicity against tumor cells under GSH/pH-triggered environment, providing a potential tumor-specific targeting ability for cancer therapy.
JOURNAL OF DRUG DELIVERY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Ahram Kim, Minoru Suzuki, Yoshitaka Matsumoto, Nobuyoshi Fukumitsu, Yukio Nagasaki
Summary: The feasibility of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) relies on the selective accumulation of 10B in tumors. While the conventional BNCT agent BPA-f shows preferential uptake into tumors, its limited retention requires constant intravenous infusion. A novel nanoparticle agent, NanoPBA, decorated with phenylboronic acid (PBA), demonstrates efficient tumor targeting and potent antitumor effect even at a lower dose compared to BPA-f.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yue Zhou, Lei Xu, Zhangding Wang, Hongwen Liu, Xiang Zhang, Chuanjun Shu, Meng Zhang, Ting Wang, Xinyun Xu, Xiaohong Pus, Jian He, Pin Wang, Yudong Qiu, Guifang Xu, Xiaoping Zou, Yun Zhu, Lei Wang
Summary: PLK1 is identified as a mutual target derived from tumor cells and stroma in CCA, playing a crucial role in malignant proliferation of tumor cells and regulation of stroma production in CAFs. The PLK1 inhibitor (Ro3280) loaded dual-targeting drug delivery system (AA-HA-ODA) shows promising anticancer efficacy at cellular and in vivo levels.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Fangyu Zhang, Zhengxing Li, Chuanrui Chen, Hao Luan, Ronnie H. Fang, Liangfang Zhang, Joseph Wang
Summary: This review focuses on the integration of microorganisms and artificial components to create biohybrid microrobots, with a specific emphasis on microalgae-based systems. The distinct propulsion and phototaxis behaviors of microalgae, as well as methods for functionalizing their surface, are discussed. Various applications of these biohybrid microrobots in biomedical and environmental fields are presented, highlighting their advantages and challenges.
ADVANCED MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Qinghong Hou, Lulu Wang, Feng Xiao, Le Wang, Xiaoyan Liu, Lina Zhu, Yi Lu, Wenfu Zheng, Xingyu Jiang
Summary: A double targeting nanoparticle carrying lamotrigine has been designed to cross the blood-brain barrier and concentrate at the neurons, providing a new strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of existing antiepileptic drugs.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Qin Zhao, Miusi Shi, Chengcheng Yin, Zifan Zhao, Jinglun Zhang, Jinyang Wang, Kailun Shen, Lingling Zhang, Hua Tang, Yin Xiao, Yufeng Zhang
Summary: The study reveals that biomaterials, such as biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds, can promote osteogenesis by modulating the immune responses of macrophages and dendritic cells. This demonstrates that specific regulatory capacities for immune cells in biomaterials can control early inflammatory responses of implanted materials and induce bone formation.
NANO-MICRO LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Dong Liu, Ting Wang, Yuan Lu
Summary: The article discusses the potential applications of untethered microrobots in medical treatment, particularly focusing on the advantages of active drug delivery systems compared to traditional passive systems. It introduces an integrated 5D radar chart analysis model and addresses the various factors that need to be considered before clinical application of microrobots.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Veronica Duran, Elena Grabski, Constantin Hozsa, Jennifer Becker, Hanzey Yasar, Joao T. Monteiro, Bibiana Costa, Nicole Koller, Yvonne Lueder, Bettina Wiegmann, Gudrun Brandes, Volkhard Kaever, Claus-Michael Lehr, Bernd Lepenies, Robert Tampe, Reinhold Foerster, Berislav Bosnjak, Marcus Furch, Theresa Graalmann, Ulrich Kalinke
Summary: The antibiotic treatment of tuberculosis is complex and lengthy, and can lead to poor patient compliance and the selection of multi-drug resistant bacteria. Encapsulating levofloxacin in lipid nanocarriers functionalized with fucosyl residues has shown to target MMR-positive cells more efficiently, improving the delivery and efficacy of the antibiotic in clearing the pathogen. Carbohydrate-functionalized nanocarriers present a promising tool for enhancing TB treatment by targeted antibiotic delivery.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sandra Lopez Cerda, Flavia Fontana, Shiqi Wang, Alexandra Correia, Giuseppina Molinaro, Ruben Pareja Tello, Jouni Hirvonen, Christian Celia, Goncalo Barreto, Helder A. Santos
Summary: Macrophages play a critical role in various diseases, and single-drug loaded nanoparticles have been developed to target them. However, macrophage dysfunction can lead to multiple conditions, such as inflammation and fibrosis. This study developed hybrid lipid-polymer nanoparticles (LPNs) loaded with both budesonide and enhanced green fluorescence protein siRNA (eGFP-siRNA) to modulate macrophage dysfunction. The LPNs showed efficient loading, controlled release, non-toxicity, and high transfection efficiency, making them a suitable nanoplatform for the dual drug delivery to macrophages.
ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tianyu Lan, Honglei Guo, Xin Lu, Kedui Geng, Lin Wu, Yongjun Luo, Jingfeng Zhu, Xiangchun Shen, Qianqian Guo, Shuizhu Wu
Summary: This study successfully fabricated a curcumin-loaded nanodrug delivery system for antioxidant therapy in acute kidney injury. The nanoplatform could respond to microenvironments and alleviate oxidative stress through reducing apoptosis, activating autophagy, and decreasing endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Review
Polymer Science
Siphokazi B. K. Dludla, Leshasha T. Mashabela, Brian Ng'andwe, Pedzisai A. Makoni, Bwalya A. Witika
Summary: The application of nanotechnology in ophthalmic drug delivery systems shows great potential to overcome barriers faced by traditional ophthalmic formulations. Stimuli-responsive nano drug carriers have attracted significant attention due to their unique functionalities and therapeutic efficacy, playing a crucial role in the treatment and alleviation of ocular diseases.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yixin Wang, Allie Barrett, Quanyin Hu
Summary: Macrophages play a crucial role in tumor development and metastasis, and their polarization can affect disease progression, metastasis, and treatment resistance. Modulating macrophages to improve tumor-associated immunosuppression and induce anti-tumor immune responses is an important strategy in cancer therapy. Genetic engineering and biomimetic carriers based on macrophages offer potential approaches for treating tumors.
Article
Physics, Applied
Prateek Benhal, David Quashie, U. Kei Cheang, Jamel Ali
Summary: This study investigates the dynamic behavior of self-assembling achiral swimmers in viscous media, revealing nonlinear relationships between the dynamic response of the swimmers and fluid viscosity, as well as dependencies of swimmer motion on fluid viscosity and geometry. The findings will contribute to the development of control strategies for propelling other simple swimmers and optimization of swimmer designs critical for low Reynolds number applications in the future.
APPLIED PHYSICS LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xueliang Mu, Zihan Wang, Yukun Zhong, Teng Jiang, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: By tuning the annealing temperature, two-dimensional MOF-based microrobots with specific structures were successfully synthesized, demonstrating high drug loading capacity and strong locomotive capabilities. The microrobots showed efficient movement in a three-dimensional magnetic field and successful navigation within a microfluidic channel, indicating great potential for biomedical applications in hard-to-reach areas of the human body.
INDUSTRIAL & ENGINEERING CHEMISTRY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhi Chen, Zihan Wang, David Quashie, Prateek Benhal, Jamel Ali, Min Jun Kim, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: The study found that achiral planar microswimmers exhibit similar swimming characteristics in methylcellulose solutions as in water, with the range of precession angles increasing with the concentration of MC solution. Microswimmers with similar precession angles demonstrated nearly the same dimensionless speeds in different concentrations of methylcellulose solutions.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yukun Zhong, Xueliang Mu, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: This study synthesized metal-organic framework composites and evaluated their effectiveness in removing organic pollutants. The ZIF-MIL-4 composite showed high adsorption capacity and selectivity, as well as significant regeneration ability. The main interactions between ZIF-MIL-4 and the pollutants were weak coordination, electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and π-π stacking interactions.
NANOSCALE ADVANCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Junfeng Xiong, Xiaoxia Song, Yuhang Cai, Jiahe Liu, Yangyuan Li, Yaqiang Ji, Liang Guo, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: The small size of robotic microswimmers makes them ideal for biomedical tasks in tiny, enclosed spaces. However, the degradability of these microswimmers is a pressing concern. In this study, a new method for preparing degradable hydrogel achiral crescent microswimmers was proposed. The microswimmers showed good biocompatibility and were able to achieve swimming efficiency comparable to previous microswimmers. This research demonstrates the potential of degradable hydrogel microswimmers for microscale applications.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Teng Jiang, Xiaoxia Song, Xueliang Mu, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: This study successfully fabricated biocompatible L-shaped nanorobots using electron beam lithography, which exhibited excellent cell compatibility and stability, and were studied for locomotive behavior in a fluidic environment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xiaoxia Song, Rongxin Qian, Tingting Li, Wei Fu, Lijun Fang, Yuzhen Cai, Heng Guo, Lei Xi, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: Researchers have developed a macrophage membrane-coated nanocomplex that can target and modulate the immune system for tumor therapy. The nanocomplex utilizes photoacoustic imaging and magnetic guidance, resulting in synergistic therapeutic effects.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Haoying Wang, Xiaoxia Song, Junfeng Xiong, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: In this study, bilayer magnetic microrobots with an achiral planar design were fabricated using a biocompatible natural polymer and Fe3O4 nanoparticles. These microrobots demonstrated excellent cell biocompatibility and high mobility, providing a solution for biomedical applications.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Liyuan Tan, Zihan Wang, Zhi Chen, Xiangcheng Shi, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: In this paper, a new type of crescent-shaped achiral microswimmers were designed and actuated using rotating magnetic fields. The experimental results showed that the crescent-shaped microswimmers exhibited significant improvement in swimming speed, and the velocities of the microswimmers were influenced by different curvatures, arm angles, and procession angles.
Article
Robotics
Zihan Wang, Xueliang Mu, Liyuan Tan, Yukun Zhong, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: This paper introduces a simple, low-cost, high-throughput manufacturing process for fabricating helical microrobots. The process involves photolithography and electron-beam evaporation to create 2D parallelogram patterns that are then rolled up into helical microstructures. The helical parameters can be controlled by adjusting the geometric parameters of the patterns. The fabrication process is validated and the mobility of the microrobots is characterized through experiments.
FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Zhi Chen, Xiaoxia Song, Xueliang Mu, Junkai Zhang, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: Cell delivery using magnetic microswimmers is a promising tool for targeted therapy. This study presents the fabrication of rapid and uniform manufactur-able 2D magnetic achiral microswimmers with pores for delivering bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to regenerate articular-damaged cartilage. The microswimmers exhibit rolling or swimming motions under magnetic fields and demonstrate biocompatibility and long-distance targeting capabilities.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Junfeng Xiong, Junkai Zhang, Yukun Zhong, Xiaoxia Song, Haoying Wang, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: Ultraviolet lithography is a highly promising technology for the batch fabrication of biomedical microswimmers. However, it is challenging to create microswimmers that possess both strong magnetic properties and excellent biomedical functionality using biocompatible materials. This study utilizes an in situ synthesis technique to generate high magnetic content inside hydrogel-based microswimmers, allowing for SERS detection and magnetic guidance. The microswimmers demonstrate high swimming efficiency, high step-out frequency, and consistent synchronized motion in motion control tests, and also improve the detection efficiency of analytes under magnetic guidance.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
David Quashie, Prateek Benhal, Zhi Chen, Zihan Wang, Xueliang Mu, Xiaoxia Song, Teng Jiang, Yukun Zhong, U. Kei Cheang, Jamel Ali
Summary: In the past two decades, there has been an increasing amount of research on wireless devices that can operate at the scale of biological cells or even smaller. One prominent type of these devices is bio-hybrid actuators, which integrate biological cells or subcellular components with synthetic or inorganic parts. Magnetic bio-hybrid actuators have recently shown promise in addressing challenges in small scale fabrication, control, and localization. They also have the potential for high efficiency, self-repair, and self-replication. By combining these properties with magnetically driven forces and torques, which can be controlled and are biologically safe, magnetic bio-hybrid actuators have significant advantages over other small scale actuators.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Xueliang Mu, Yukun Zhong, Teng Jiang, U. Kei Cheang
Summary: By combining the features of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with the mobility of micro/nanorobots, this study successfully prepared biodegradable MOF-based microrobots with low biotoxicity and high drug loading for targeted treatment of cancer cells. It was found that MOFs synthesized in a DMAC/MeOH solvent system exhibited good biocompatibility and drug delivery properties.
MATERIALS ADVANCES
(2021)
