Puffball‐Inspired Microrobotic Systems with Robust Payload, Strong Protection, and Targeted Locomotion for On‐Demand Drug Delivery. Issue 43 (27th September 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Song, Xin; Sun, Rujie; Wang, Richard; Zhou, Kun; Xie, Ruoxiao; Lin, Junliang; Georgiev, Dimitar; Paraschiv, Andrei‐Alexandru; Zhao, Ruibo; Stevens, Molly M.
• Is Part Of: Advanced materials. Volume 34:Issue 43(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-09-27
• Subjects: bioinspired systems -- controlled release -- intelligent microrobots -- magnetic actuation -- targeted therapy; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202204791
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0935-9648

Abstract

Abstract: Microrobots are recognized as transformative solutions for drug delivery systems (DDSs) because they can navigate through the body to specific locations and enable targeted drug release. However, their realization is substantially limited by insufficient payload capacity, unavoidable drug leakage/deactivation, and strict modification/stability criteria for drugs. Natural puffballs possess fascinating features that are highly desirable for DDSs, including a large fruitbody for storing spores, a flexible protective cap, and environmentally triggered release mechanisms. This report presents a puffball‐inspired microrobotic system which incorporates an internal chamber for loading large drug quantities and spatial drug separation, and a near‐infrared‐responsive top‐sealing layer offering strong drug protection and on‐demand release. These puffball‐inspired microrobots (PIMs) display tunable loading capacities up to high concentrations and enhanced drug protection with minimal drug leakage. Upon near‐infrared laser irradiation, on‐demand drug delivery with rapid release efficiency is achieved. The PIMs also demonstrate translational motion velocities, switchable motion modes, and precise locomotion under a rotating magnetic field. This work provides strong proof‐of‐concept for a DDS that combines the superior locomotion capability of microrobots with the unique characteristics of puffballs, thereby illustrating a versatile avenue for development of a new generation of microrobots for targeted drug delivery. Abstract : Inspired by features of natural puffball fungi, including a fruitbody to store trillions of spores and a barrier cap to provide payload protection and stimuli‐triggered release, a bioinspired microrobotic system with an internal chamber and near‐infrared‐responsive sealing layer is presented for drug delivery. The microrobots show robust payload capacity, strong payload protection, on‐demand release, and targeted locomotion.