Articles tagged with "drug-delivery"
Enzyme-powered bubble robots maneuver drugs directly to tumors
Researchers at Caltech and the University of Southern California have developed enzyme-powered microbubble robots designed for precise drug delivery to tumors. These microrobots simplify previous complex designs by using protein-shelled microbubbles, which are biocompatible and commonly used in medical imaging. The bubbles are functionalized by chemically attaching enzymes, drugs, and nanoparticles to their surface, enabling them to move, sense their environment, and deliver therapy. Propulsion is achieved through the enzyme urease, which reacts with naturally occurring urea in the body to generate thrust, while two versions of the robots have been created: one steered magnetically and tracked via ultrasound, and another fully autonomous version that homes in on tumors by sensing elevated hydrogen peroxide levels through the enzyme catalase. Once the microbubble robots reach the tumor site, focused ultrasound bursts the bubbles, releasing the drug payload and enhancing its penetration into the tumor tissue. In mouse models of bladder cancer, this method resulted in approximately a 60% reduction
roboticsmicrorobotsdrug-deliveryenzyme-powered-robotsmedical-roboticstargeted-therapynanotechnologyMicroneedle heart patch aims to improve post-attack recovery
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a biodegradable microneedle patch designed to improve recovery of heart muscle damaged by heart attacks. The patch delivers interleukin-4 (IL-4) directly into the injured heart tissue through tiny needles that penetrate the heart’s outer layer, enabling targeted drug delivery that reduces scarring and inflammation without the systemic side effects seen in previous methods. IL-4 shifts macrophages—immune cells central to the healing process—from promoting inflammation to supporting tissue repair, thereby helping the heart muscle recover more effectively. Early experiments demonstrated that the patch not only decreased inflammatory signals and scar tissue formation but also enhanced communication between heart muscle cells and endothelial cells lining blood vessels, which may support long-term heart function. Additionally, the patch increased activity in the NPR1 pathway, known to promote blood vessel health and reduce harmful inflammation. While the current version requires open-chest surgery, the researchers aim to refine the design for less invasive delivery, potentially via catheter. The study, published in
materialsbiomedical-engineeringdrug-deliverymicroneedle-patchheart-repairtissue-engineeringbiodegradable-materialsMagnetic tiny robots deliver drugs directly to clots to fight strokes
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed magnetic microrobots designed to deliver clot-dissolving drugs directly to stroke-causing thrombi, achieving over a 95% success rate in targeted drug delivery. These tiny spherical capsules feature a soluble gel shell embedded with iron oxide nanoparticles for magnetic guidance and tantalum nanoparticles for X-ray tracking. The microrobots are precisely navigated through blood vessels using a modular electromagnetic system that combines three magnetic strategies, enabling controlled movement at speeds up to 4 millimeters per second along vessel walls. This targeted approach aims to reduce the side effects associated with systemic clot-dissolving drugs, such as internal bleeding. The microrobots release their drug payload when heated by a high-frequency magnetic field, dissolving the gel shell at the target site. Tested in realistic silicone vessel models, the robots successfully located and dissolved blood clots, and further in vivo trials demonstrated effective navigation in pigs and sheep, including through complex cerebral fluid environments. Beyond stroke treatment,
roboticsmicrorobotsdrug-deliverymagnetic-navigationmedical-technologynanotechnologystroke-treatmentSmart heart patch cuts damage by 50% after major heart attack
MIT engineers have developed a flexible hydrogel heart patch that significantly improves recovery after a major heart attack by delivering multiple drugs in a precisely timed sequence directly to damaged cardiac tissue. Tested successfully in rats, the patch reduced tissue damage by 50% and increased survival rates by 33%, outperforming traditional intravenous drug delivery. The patch releases three drugs—neuregulin-1 to prevent cell death, VEGF to promote blood vessel growth, and GW788388 to reduce scar formation—over specific intervals aligned with the heart’s natural healing process. The patch is made from biodegradable microparticles embedded in a thin, flexible hydrogel that can be placed on the heart during open-heart surgery. This approach aims to restore heart function more effectively than current treatments, which often fail to regenerate damaged tissue. The hydrogel safely dissolves over time without impairing heart movement. The researchers plan to conduct further testing in larger animal models and explore integrating the timed-release technology into stents for less invasive treatment options. The study
materialshydrogeldrug-deliverybiodegradable-polymercardiac-tissue-regenerationmedical-devicebiomaterialsTargeted nanoparticles show 80% success in treating ovarian cancer
MIT researchers have developed targeted nanoparticles that significantly enhance immunotherapy against ovarian cancer, a disease often resistant to treatment. These nanoparticles deliver the immune-activating molecule IL-12 directly to ovarian tumors, activating T cells and other immune cells to attack cancer. In mouse models, this approach eradicated metastatic ovarian cancer in over 80% of cases when combined with checkpoint inhibitors, which alone have limited success against ovarian tumors. The nanoparticles slowly release IL-12 within tumors, avoiding the severe side effects associated with high systemic doses of the molecule. The nanoparticles are liposomes coated with poly-L-glutamate (PLE) that specifically target ovarian tumor cells, with IL-12 tethered via a stable chemical linker for controlled release over about a week. This design maintains immune activation in the tumor microenvironment while preventing toxicity. The treatment not only cleared tumors but also induced long-term immune memory, protecting mice from tumor recurrence upon re-exposure. The MIT team is now working toward clinical development of this promising therapy,
nanoparticlescancer-immunotherapydrug-deliverynanomaterialstargeted-therapyIL-12tumor-treatmentShape-shifting origami robots crawl, fold, and deliver medicine
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel 3D printing technique that integrates ultra-thin magnetic “muscles” into origami robots, enabling them to crawl, fold, and perform tasks such as delivering medicine inside the body. By infusing rubber-like elastomers with ferromagnetic particles, the team created a thin magnetic film that acts as an actuator when exposed to magnetic fields, allowing precise control over the robot’s movements without significantly increasing its size. This innovation overcomes previous limitations in magnetic soft robotics by using a hot plate during curing, which permits a higher concentration of magnetic particles and thus stronger magnetic forces. The researchers demonstrated the technology with two main prototypes: a drug-delivery robot based on the Miura-Ori folding pattern and a crawling robot capable of navigating varied terrains and climbing small obstacles. The drug-delivery robot can be swallowed compactly, then magnetically guided and unfolded inside the body to release medicine steadily at targeted sites, such as ulcers, offering a minimally invasive treatment
roboticssoft-roboticsmagnetic-actuators3D-printingdrug-deliverymedical-robotsorigami-robotsUS scientists create microscopic 'flower robots' for drug delivery
Scientists at the University of North Carolina have developed microscopic "DNA flower" robots—soft, flower-shaped structures made from hybrid crystals combining DNA with inorganic materials like gold or graphene oxide. These nanoscale robots can rapidly fold and unfold in response to environmental stimuli such as changes in acidity, temperature, or chemical signals. This reversible motion, guided by the programmable nature of DNA assembly, allows the DNA flowers to perform adaptive tasks including molecule delivery, triggering chemical reactions, and interacting with biological tissues. The research aims to mimic natural adaptive behaviors seen in living organisms, such as coral movements and blossoming petals, by creating artificial systems capable of sensing and reacting dynamically at a microscopic scale. Potential applications include targeted drug delivery inside the body, minimally invasive biopsies, clearing blood clots, and environmental cleanup by responding to pollutants. Although still in early stages, these DNA flower robots represent a promising new class of soft nanorobots that combine biological programming with stable inorganic components to repeatedly transform shape without structural loss, opening
robotnanorobotsdrug-deliveryDNA-nanotechnologysoft-roboticssmart-materialsbiomedical-engineeringGold nanoparticle nasal spray delivers lithium safely to the brain
Italian researchers have developed a novel nasal spray that uses gold nanoparticles to deliver lithium directly to the brain, aiming to provide safer treatment options for conditions like bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, and viral brain infections. Traditional oral lithium therapy, while effective, often causes harmful side effects on organs such as the kidneys and thyroid. The new approach leverages inert gold nanoparticles coated with lithium and functionalized with glutathione, enabling the particles to cross the nasal passage and enter brain cells where they release lithium precisely, minimizing systemic exposure and associated risks. Preclinical studies demonstrated that these lithium-loaded gold nanoparticles (LiG-AuNPs) effectively inhibit glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β), an enzyme implicated in Alzheimer’s and bipolar disorder, and restored memory loss in mice without adverse effects. The technology, developed by teams at Università Cattolica Rome and the University of Salerno, has been patented internationally and shows promise for clinical application due to its ease of synthesis and low
nanoparticlesgold-nanoparticlesdrug-deliverybrain-treatmentlithium-therapyAlzheimer's-diseasebipolar-disorderSticky hydrogel slows drug release 20x, extends treatment span
Researchers at Rice University have developed a novel peptide hydrogel platform called SABER (self-assembling boronate ester release) that significantly slows drug release, extending treatment duration by up to 20 times. SABER works by forming a three-dimensional net that temporarily traps drug molecules, allowing for gradual release. This system is versatile, effective for a range of drugs from small molecules to large biologics like insulin and antibodies. In mouse studies, a single SABER injection of a tuberculosis drug outperformed nearly daily oral doses over two weeks, and insulin delivered via SABER controlled blood sugar for six days compared to the usual four-hour effect of conventional insulin. The hydrogel is biocompatible, dissolving safely after injection without toxic byproducts. The SABER platform was developed through interdisciplinary collaboration, combining chemistry and biomedical engineering expertise. The concept originated from dynamic covalent bonds used in glucose sensors, adapted to create a "sticky" hydrogel that controls drug release timing and location. The research team is
materialshydrogeldrug-deliverypeptide-hydrogelbiomedical-engineeringcontrolled-releaseSABER-platformBubble-powered robots: How collapsing cavities could replace needles
A joint US-Chinese research team has developed a novel propulsion method for tiny robots using cavitation—the rapid collapse of bubbles in liquid—to generate mechanical energy. By heating light-absorbing materials with a laser, these microbots, called “jumpers,” create expanding bubbles that collapse violently, releasing shockwaves powerful enough to propel millimeter-sized devices up to 1.5 meters into the air or enable swimming speeds of about 12 meters per second. This laser-controlled bubble collapse allows precise control over movement, including jumping, sliding, or swimming, enabling navigation through complex environments such as microfluidic channels. This breakthrough has significant potential applications in medicine, particularly as a minimally invasive alternative to needle-based drug delivery. The cavitation-powered microbots could be launched through the skin to deliver drugs directly to targeted sites like tumors, overcoming limitations of current microrobots that rely on magnetic fields or chemical fuels. Additionally, these devices could explore confined or harsh environments, including inside pipes or biological systems,
robotsmicrobotscavitationmedical-technologydrug-deliverypropulsion-systemsmicroroboticsScientists turn sperm into microrobots to advance infertility care
Researchers at the University of Twente’s TechMed Centre have developed a novel technique to transform human sperm cells into magnetically controlled microrobots that can be tracked and steered inside a life-sized anatomical model using X-ray imaging. By coating sperm with magnetic nanoparticles, the team overcame the challenge of sperm’s invisibility under conventional imaging, enabling real-time visualization and precise navigation within the body. This breakthrough merges the natural mobility and flexibility of sperm with advanced robotics, opening new possibilities for targeted drug delivery and diagnostic applications in hard-to-reach reproductive areas. The technology holds promise for revolutionizing treatments of uterine conditions such as cancer, endometriosis, and fibroids by enabling minimally invasive, site-specific drug delivery. Additionally, tracking sperm movement in real time could enhance understanding of fertilization processes, unexplained infertility, and improve assisted reproductive techniques like IVF. Safety tests indicate that the sperm-nanoparticle clusters are biocompatible, showing no significant toxicity to human uterine cells after
robotmicrorobotsmedical-roboticsdrug-deliverymagnetic-nanoparticlesinfertility-treatmentbiomedical-engineeringInjection-based drug delivery may replace cancer infusion drips
A Stanford research team has developed a novel drug delivery platform that could transform cancer and autoimmune disease treatments by replacing lengthy intravenous (IV) infusions with quick, high-concentration injections that patients can self-administer at home. The innovation centers on a specially designed polyacrylamide copolymer called MoNi, which stabilizes protein-based drugs at concentrations exceeding 500 mg/mL—more than double typical levels—without causing clumping or loss of efficacy. This is achieved by spray-drying protein molecules coated with MoNi into fine, glassy microparticles that remain stable under stress, including freeze-thaw cycles and high temperatures, and can be smoothly injected through tiny needles. The technology has been successfully tested on proteins such as albumin, human immunoglobulin, and a COVID antibody treatment, demonstrating broad applicability across biologic drugs. MoNi’s mechanical properties, rather than the chemical nature of the proteins, enable this versatility. Preclinical studies have shown no adverse effects, and the platform
materialsdrug-deliveryprotein-stabilitypolymer-sciencebiomedical-engineeringcancer-treatmentpharmaceutical-technology