Nanorobots for the treatment of fungal infection

2023: Product Announcement

In mid-June 2023, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania reported the creation of nanorobots that can move to the site of a fungal infection under the influence of an external magnetic field. The device interacts with fungal cells and then releases reactive oxygen species to completely kill the fungus.

The tiny particles are an example of catalytic nanoparticles, which the researchers dubbed "nanoenzymes." Made from iron oxide, they are maneuverable when exposed to magnetic fields, allowing researchers at the University of Pennsylvania to localize them to a specific part of the body. In trials, nanorobots have been shown to destroy fungal biofilms that are particularly difficult to treat with conventional antifungal drugs.

Nanorobots Operation Diagram

For 2023, fungal infections can become a serious problem, especially if the infectious fungus forms a thick biofilm, through which ordinary antifungal drugs hardly penetrate. Existing antifungal drugs do not have sufficient strength and specificity to rapidly and effectively destroy these pathogens. The tiny structures of nanorobots consist of iron oxide nanoparticles that can be tightly controlled with external magnetic fields.

These catalytic properties resemble the enzyme peroxidase, which helps break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. However, it also leads to the formation of large amounts of reactive oxygen species, which can quickly damage and destroy living cells in the vicinity. This is the mechanism of action by which nanorobots can destroy fungal biofilms. However, nanorobots have another unexpected property that greatly helps them in destroying biofilms. It turned out that they are strongly attracted to fungal cells and strongly bind inside such biofilms, and show less affinity for human cells, which significantly increases their specificity and safety. According to scientists, this specific binding interaction paves the way for a powerful and concentrated antifungal effect without affecting other uninfected areas.^[1]

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