Self-Powered Microbeads
Michael Plishka — November 3, 2008 — Tech
References: technologyreview
One of my favorite movies when I was growing up was Fantastic Voyage, where five people (one of whom was Racquel Welch) and their submarine-type vessel were shrunk down so they could be injected into the bloodstream of a scientist with the mission to dissolve a life-threatening blood clot.
Slow-Forward to 2008. Scientists at École Polytechnique de Montréal--the Polytechnical School of Montreal-- have developed something that may even be cooler than shrinking Racquel Welch.
By attaching little microscopic beads onto the bodies of magnetic, swimming bacteria, they have created little self-powered bacteria-robot hybrids that can be steered through the bloodstream by using the magnetic fields of an MRI.
By lacing the microbeads with anti-tumor agents, or perhaps clot-busting drugs, these little guys could be steered directly to their destination where they would leave their medical payloads.
Researchers are still working on techniques for removing them from the body post-procedure, as well as making sure that they don't get attacked by the body prior to finishing their mission.
In Fantastic Voyage, it was the body's defenses that ultimately destroyed the ship. Maybe these bots are destined to give their lives up for the greater good...
Slow-Forward to 2008. Scientists at École Polytechnique de Montréal--the Polytechnical School of Montreal-- have developed something that may even be cooler than shrinking Racquel Welch.
By attaching little microscopic beads onto the bodies of magnetic, swimming bacteria, they have created little self-powered bacteria-robot hybrids that can be steered through the bloodstream by using the magnetic fields of an MRI.
By lacing the microbeads with anti-tumor agents, or perhaps clot-busting drugs, these little guys could be steered directly to their destination where they would leave their medical payloads.
Researchers are still working on techniques for removing them from the body post-procedure, as well as making sure that they don't get attacked by the body prior to finishing their mission.
In Fantastic Voyage, it was the body's defenses that ultimately destroyed the ship. Maybe these bots are destined to give their lives up for the greater good...
Trend Themes
1. Intravenous Nanotechnology - The development of self-powered bacteria-robot hybrids presents innovative opportunities for the advancement of intravenous nanotechnology applications.
2. Microbead Delivery Systems - The use of microbeads as delivery systems for anti-tumor agents and clot-busting drugs could revolutionize the medical industry.
3. Magnetic Navigation Systems - The incorporation of magnetic fields for the navigation of bacteria-robot hybrids provides exciting potential for the advancement of magnetic navigation systems within the medical industry.
Industry Implications
1. Medical Industry - The development of bacteria-robot hybrid technology could greatly enhance drug delivery systems within the medical industry.
2. Nanotechnology Industry - The use of microbeads and self-powered bacteria-robot hybrids presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the advancement of intravenous nanotechnology applications.
3. MRI Industry - The incorporation of magnetic fields for the navigation of bacteria-robot hybrids could lead to advancements in the development of magnetic navigation systems within the MRI industry.
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