Scientists continue their research without slowing down to combat diseases such as cancer that have terrible consequences all over the world. It is planned that the systems that enter our lives with the developing technology will be used in the field of medicine in the coming years.
Now researchers in the Department of Physical Intelligence at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems have begun working on microrobots that could one day be used to fight cancer. The team outfitted bacteria called E.coli with artificial components to create biohybrid microrobots.
Can be used to fight cancer
According to the explanations, scientists first attached a nanoliposome, which has water-soluble chemotherapeutic drug molecules and a material that can melt with infrared light around it, to each bacterium. Secondly, it was stated that magnetic nanoparticles were attached to the bacteria. However, it was stated that this microorganism, which is already quite active, was strengthened. Thus, it was stated that it would be easier to control the swimming of the bacteria.
Experts say that bacteria can be injected and used to treat cancer. In this method, microorganisms flow to the location of the tumor, grow there and activate the patient’s immune system. In recent years, ways have been sought to increase the effects of these microorganisms. For this reason, it is stated that the extra components can be used in the fight against tumors.
Birgül Akolpoğlu, one of the researchers, said in her statements, “Imagine if we could inject such bacteria-based micro robots into the body of a cancer patient. With a magnet, we can direct the particles to the tumor. When enough microrobots surround the tumor, we can direct a laser into the tissue and trigger drug release. Thus, not only the triggering of the immune system, but also additional drugs can help destroy the tumor.
Metin Sitti, co-author of the study and director of the Department of Physical Intelligence, said: “Bacteria-based microrobots with medical functions may one day fight cancer more effectively. This is a new therapeutic approach not far from the way we treat cancer today.”
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