Nanorobots: A Revolutionary Tool in Targeting Fungal Infections

A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania has created a micro-robotic system capable of rapid, targeted elimination of fungal pathogens. This ground-breaking development has far-reaching implications for global health. Infections caused by fungi, such as Candida albicans, represent a major global health risk due to their resistance to existing treatments, which is why the World Health Organization made it a priority problem (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen

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Although nanomaterials show promise as agents of antibiotics, current literature evidence lacks the power and specificity necessary for rapid and targeted therapy, resulting in longer treatment times and side effects that -are non-useful and resistant to drugs.

Now, a team of researchers led by Hyun (Michel) Koo of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry and Edward Steager of Penn’s School of Engineering and Applied Science has developed a new way.

Finding New Way to Quickly Eliminate Fungal Infections

Candida forms a severe biofilm infection that is difficult to treat. Current antifungal therapy does not have the power and specificity required to eliminate these viruses quickly and effectively. Therefore this collaboration provides new approaches.

In the new study published in Advanced Materials, researchers focused on recent advances in catalytic nanoparticles, called nanozymes, and built a small robotic system that can accurately target and destroy fast fungal cells. They achieved this by using electromagnetic fields to precisely control the shape and movement of these nanozyme microrobots (2^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Nanozyme-based robotics approach for targeting fungal infection

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The method they used to control the nanoparticles in this study is magnetic, which allows us to direct them to the site of infection. Using iron oxide nanoparticles, which have another important feature, which is that they make the body stronger.

Researchers developed the movement, speed, and structure of nanozymes, which increased the catalytic activity, as did the enzyme peroxidase, which helps to break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This helps in the generation of large reactive oxygen species (ROS), compounds that are destructive agents, at the site of infection.

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However, the main pioneering feature of these nanozyme assemblies is unexpected: their high affinity to fungal cells. This feature allows collecting nanozymes specifically where fungi live and, therefore, target ROS generation.

This specific interaction paves the way for strong and targeted antifungal effects without affecting other non-infected areas. Combined with the activity of the nanozyme, this results in a strong antifungal effect, demonstrating the rapid elimination of fungal cells within an unprecedented 10-minute window (3^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Nanozymes—Hitting the Biosensing “Target”

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Looking to the future, the team sees the potential of this unique nanozyme-based robotic approach, as it includes new ways to automate nanozyme management and delivery. Its promise of antifungal treatment is just the beginning.

Magnetic and catalytic properties combined with unexpected fungal interactions open up exciting opportunities for automated “strategy-killing” immune systems.

This robotic system opens new frontiers in the fight against fungal infections and marks a revolution in antifungal therapy. With new tools in their arsenal, medical and dental professionals are closer than ever to effectively combating these difficult pathogens.

References:

1. Candida albicans, a major human fungal pathogen - (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12275-011-1064-7)
2. Nanozyme-based robotics approach for targeting fungal infection - (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202300320)
3. Nanozymes—Hitting the Biosensing “Target” - (https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/15/5201)

Source-Eurekalert