Nanorobotic system presents new options to attack fungal infections

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Although nanomaterials show promise as antifungal agents, current iterations lack the potency and specificity needed for rapid, targeted treatment, leading to long treatment times and potential side effects and drug resistance.

Now, in a groundbreaking development with far-reaching implications for global health, a team of researchers led jointly by Hyun (Michel) Koo of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and Edward Steager of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences from Penn has created a microrobotic system capable of rapid and targeted elimination of fungal pathogens.

“Candidae form tenacious biofilm infections that are particularly difficult to treat,” says Koo. “Current antifungal therapies lack the potency and specificity to kill these pathogens quickly and effectively, so this collaboration builds on our clinical knowledge and combines Ed’s team and their robotics expertise to deliver a new approach.” “.

The team of researchers is part of Penn Dental’s Center for Precision Dentistry and Innovation, an initiative that leverages computational and engineering approaches to discover new insights for disease mitigation and advance innovation in oral and dental health care. craniofacial.

For this article, published in advanced materials, the researchers took advantage of recent advances in catalytic nanoparticles, known as nanozymes, and built miniature robotic systems that could precisely target and rapidly destroy fungal cells. They did this by using electromagnetic fields to control the shape and movements of these nanozyme microrobots with great precision.

“The methods we used to control the nanoparticles in this study are magnetic, which allows us to direct them to the exact site of infection,” says Steager. “We use iron oxide nanoparticles, which have another important property, namely that they are catalytic.”

Steager’s team developed the motion, speed, and formation of nanozymes, resulting in enhanced catalytic activity, much like the enzyme peroxidase, which helps break down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. This directly allows the generation of large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), compounds that have demonstrated biofilm-destroying properties, at the site of infection.

However, the truly pioneering element of these nanozyme assemblies was an unexpected discovery: their strong binding affinity to fungal cells. This feature allows for a localized accumulation of nanozymes precisely where the fungi reside and consequently targeted ROS generation.

“Our nanozyme assemblies show incredible attraction to fungal cells, particularly when compared to human cells,” says Steager. “This specific binding interaction paves the way for a potent and concentrated antifungal effect without affecting other uninfected areas.”

Coupled with the nanozyme’s inherent maneuverability, this results in a potent antifungal effect, demonstrating rapid eradication of fungal cells in an unprecedented 10 minute window.

Looking ahead, the team sees the potential of this unique nanozyme-based robotic approach, as it incorporates new methods to automate nanozyme control and delivery. The promise it holds for antifungal therapy is just the beginning. Its precise targeting and rapid action suggest potential to treat other types of persistent infections.

“We have discovered a powerful tool in the fight against pathogenic fungal infections,” says Koo. “What we have achieved here is a significant advance, but it is also only the first step. The magnetic and catalytic properties combined with unexpected binding specificity to fungi open up exciting opportunities for an automated ‘target, bind and kill’ antifungal mechanism.” “. We can’t wait to dig deeper and unlock its full potential.”

This robotic approach opens a new frontier in the fight against fungal infections and marks a pivotal point in antifungal therapy. With a new tool in their arsenal, medical and dental professionals are closer than ever to effectively combating these difficult pathogens.