Robot warriors seek and destroy cancer cells

A Canadian research team has developed a microscopic biological robot capable of delivering specific drugs to active cancer cells.

The biological robot legions of more than 100 million flagellated bacteria are capable of carrying drugs to attack cancer cells. Photo:Polytechnic University of Montreal.

According to Phys.org, in the studypublished in the journal Nature Nanotechnology on August 15,Scientists from the Polytechnic University of Montreal and McGill University, Canada, have found a way to use rBiological robots are only the size of molecules, carrying special drugs, penetrating blood vessels to destroy cancer cells..

The method of using robot to carry medicine ensures maximum effectiveness fortumortargeted, limiting damage to surrounding healthy organs and tissues.This is considered a spectacular breakthrough in cancer treatment research.

"The nanorobot soldiers are actually more than 100 million flagellated bacteria that are self-propelled and loaded with drugs. They travel the shortest path between the injection site and the cancerous area," explains Professor Sylvain Martel, president of the Medical Nanorobotics Research Council and director of the Nanorobotics Laboratory at École Polytechnique de Montréal. "These biorobots can carry drugs deep into the tumor."

In addition, the biological robot can automatically detect areas where cancer cells are growing through a special mechanism called "hypoxic zone". "Hypoxic zone" is a region lacking oxygen, soCancer cells grow normallyconsumeoxygenoverkill. Robots automatically detect areas of oxygen depletion and deliver medication to the right location. Currently, the "hypoxic zone" is inaccessible and cannot be treated with conventional methods, including radiation therapy.

To move, Martel’s biorobots rely on two natural mechanisms. A compass created by synthesizing magnetic nanoparticle chains allows them to move in the direction of a computer-controlled magnetic field. Meanwhile, an oxygen sensor allows them to hunt for “hypoxic zones.” By exploiting these two mechanisms, the scientists show that flagellates can function as artificial biorobots with a wide range of applications.

"Chemotherapy, which is toxic to the whole body, could be replaced by biological robots that deliver drugs to the exact location of the tumor, eliminating harmful side effects while increasing treatment effectiveness," said Professor Martel.

According to VNE