Living Microrobots target cancer

Bacteria-based living micro-robots may enable targeted delivery of cancer therapeutic agents deep into tumours by exploiting the inherent onboard sensing and self-propulsion of bacteria. In addition, intrinsic or genetically engineered therapeutic functions can be implemented in bacteria — for example, to stimulate an immune response or express therapeutic molecules. However, the innate propulsion of bacteria alone may not be sufficient to ensure targeted delivery, and thus, strategies are needed to bring bacteria efficiently to their intended destinations. Now, writing in Science Robotics, Simone Schuerle and colleagues developed a biohybrid system made of magnetically responsive bacteria and liposomes that act together as controllable living microrobots for targeted drug delivery. Importantly, the researchers have established a magnetic torque-driven control scheme that increases the transport of the microrobots across the endothelial barrier.

Nature Reviews Bioenginering, Research Highlight, Jan 2023.