Micro‐/Nanorobots at Work in Active Drug Delivery

Advanced Functional MaterialsVolume 28, Issue 25 1706100 Feature Article Micro-/Nanorobots at Work in Active Drug Delivery Ming Luo, Ming Luo State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYouzeng Feng, Youzeng Feng State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTingwei Wang, Tingwei Wang State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorJianguo Guan, Corresponding Author Jianguo Guan guanjg@whut.edu.cn orcid.org/0000-0002-2223-4524 State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaE-mail: guanjg@whut.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this author Ming Luo, Ming Luo State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorYouzeng Feng, Youzeng Feng State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorTingwei Wang, Tingwei Wang State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaSearch for more papers by this authorJianguo Guan, Corresponding Author Jianguo Guan guanjg@whut.edu.cn orcid.org/0000-0002-2223-4524 State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, International School of Materials Science and Engineering, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070 P. R. ChinaE-mail: guanjg@whut.edu.cnSearch for more papers by this author First published: 14 April 2018 https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201706100Citations: 221Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract After the tremendous advances over the past two decades, micro-/nanorobots can effectively convert other forms of energy into propulsion and movement, as well as be navigated to targeted locations under physiological conditions and environments. They have been demonstrated to have the potential to load, transport, and deliver therapeutic payloads directly to disease sites, thereby improving the therapeutic efficacy and reducing systemic side effects of highly toxic drugs. In this feature article, the various propulsion modalities of micro-/nanorobots ranging from chemical/biochemical reactions to external fields, and to motile microorganisms are summarized and commented in terms of driving forces required by the automotive motion in biological media, biocompatibility, as well as the corresponding advantages and limitations in terms of biomedical applications. Then, the latest developments of in vitro and in vivo active drug delivery based on micro-/nanorobots are discussed in detail. The challenges and future prospects are also highlighted in the end. With ever booming research enthusiasm in this field and increasing multidisciplinary cooperation, micro-/nanorobots with intelligence and multifunctions will emerge in the near future, which would have a profound impact on the treatment of diseases. Conflict of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest. Citing Literature Volume28, Issue25Special Issue: Micro- and Nanomachines on the MoveJune 20, 20181706100 RelatedInformation