The 114th ICREA Colloquium ‘The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine and Environmental Remediation’

ABSTRACT

Bahareh Khezri – ‘Synthetic Nano/Microrobots: Revolutionizing Environmental Sensing and Remediation’

Synthetic nano/microrobots are rapidly emerging as groundbreaking tools for addressing pressing environmental challenges. This talk will showcase a comprehensive exploration of cutting-edge innovations in nano/microrobot design, spanning 2D-based systems, advanced photocatalytic platforms, and autonomous environmental sensing technologies. These tiny machines exhibit unique properties, such as mobility, reactivity, and the ability to perform complex tasks in diverse environmental settings, from water purification to pollution detection. Emphasis will be placed on the development of light-activated robots, polymeric and 2D nanostructure-based systems, demonstrating their role in energy harvesting and pollutant degradation. This presentation will highlight the advances made in synthesizing and deploying nano/microrobots, underscoring their potential to transform environmental remediation strategies and contribute to sustainable solutions for global ecological concerns.

Samuel Sánchez – ‘The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine’

Engineering medical nanomotors/nanobots will imply the use of biocompatible materials and bio-friendly propulsion mechanisms. Our strategy comprises the use of biocatalysts such enzymes for converting biologically available fuels, such as the urea contained in the urine, into a propulsive force. Moreover, nanoparticles’ chassis are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material, FDA or EMA approved materials.

In my talk, I will present how we bioengineer hybrid nanobots combining the best from the two worlds: biology (enzymes) and (nano)technology (nano- micro-particles) providing swimming capabilities, biocompatibility, imaging, multifunctionality and actuation in vitro and in vivo. I will present some of the proof-of-concept applications of biocompatible nanobots such as the efficient transport of drugs into cancer cells and 3D spheroids (1), the imaging of swarms of nanobots in vivo in confined spaces like the bladder of living mice (2). Moreover, I will present our recent advances in the treatment of bladder cancer in mice using radionuclide-labelled nanobots (3) and crossing mucus layers present in the colon of mice (4).

References

[1] Hortelao et al. ACS Nano 2019, 13, (1), 429-439
[2] Hortelao et al. Sci. Robotics . 2021, 6, (52), eabd2823.
[3] C. Simó, M. Serra et al. Nat. Nanotech . 2024, 19, 554–564
[4] M. Serra et al. ACS Nano. 2024, 18, 16701-16714