Edward Steager GRASP Laboratory University of Pennsylvania USA

Catalytic antimicrobial robots for biofilm treatment

Micro-robotic systems provide innovative, high-precision, therapeutic, and diagnostic approaches for treating diseases associated with microbial biofilms. I highlight recent progress using nanoparticle assemblies to create adaptive, reconfigurable, micro-robotic systems capable of treating and removing microbial biofilms from topographically complex, difficult-to-access sites. The methods for disruption rely on both chemical and mechanical activity, using iron oxide nanoparticles with dual functionality: catalytic properties for generating reactive species on-site and magnetic properties for controlled assembly and physical removal. These approaches lead to autonomous, multifunctional antibiofilm platforms that advance current treatment modalities for contending with harmful biofilms on hard-to-reach surfaces.