The researchers envision using these microrobots for targeted drug delivery within the body's confined tissues.
In medical technology, microrobots are the next big thing. With dimensions below that of a sand grain, these microbots are being designed to navigate the body’s complex biological environment.Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have taken this field to the next level by turning microalgae into a microrobot.
In nature, microalgae are excellent swimmers.Interestingly, this biohybrid micro-swimmer maintains its swimming prowess even with a magnetic coating.“Our findings open doors to applications such as targeted drug delivery, providing a biocompatible solution for medical treatments with exciting potential for future innovations in biomedicine and beyond,” the team noted in the press release. Animation of how the micro swimmer is coated with magnetic nanoparticles and how it swims in water and viscous liquids. MPI-ISAlgae coated with magnetic nanoparticles Birgül Akolpoglu and Saadet Fatma Baltaci, researchers at MPI-IS, led a study focusing on magnetically controlling microalgae. This magnetic material coating could lead to precise steering of the biohybrid bots inside the body. Naturally, these single-cell algae are adept swimmers with their movement powered by flagella.In this new work, the team wondered if the coated algae could still swim through tight spaces and thick, mucus-like liquids. For this, they added a magnetic coating to microalgae. The scientists discovered that adding a magnetic coating to green algae micro-swimmers had minimal impact on their swimming ability. The algae — using a breast-stroke motion with their flagella — moved forward at high speeds.Interestingly, the microalgae achieved a swimming speed of 115 micrometers per second . Relative to their size, they’re much faster than Michael Phelps, whose speed is 1.4 body lengths per second.Shows promise in navigating tight channels The researchers efficiently coated microalgae with magnetic nanoparticles within minutes. They then tested the resulting biohybrid robots in water, demonstrating successful magnetic control of their swimming direction.To further assess their navigation capabilities, they steered the algae through extremely confined 3D-printed channels — simulating tight spaces within the body. For this, the research team used two setups: magnetic coils and permanent magnets, both placed around their microscope. They then generated a consistent magnetic field and systematically altered its direction to observe the microalgae’s response.“We found that microalgal biohybrids navigate 3D-printed microchannels in three ways: backtracking, crossing, and magnetic crossing. Without magnetic guidance, the algae often got stuck and backtracked to the start. But with magnetic control, they moved more smoothly, avoiding boundaries,” said Akolpoglu, the co-first author. The author added: “Magnetic guidance helped the biohybrids align with the direction of the field, showing real potential for navigating in confined spaces – kind of like giving them a tiny GPS!”The microrobots were also tested in a thicker, mucus-like fluid to simulate more realistic biological conditions.They found that increased viscosity slowed the algae’s movement and altered their swimming pattern. Magnetic control in this viscous environment resulted in a zigzag motion. “This highlights how fine-tuning viscosity and magnetic alignment can optimize the navigation of microrobots in complex environments,” added Baltaci in the press release.The researchers envision using these microrobots for targeted drug delivery within the body’s confined tissues. The findings were published in the journal Matter.
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