Nanobots heading to eye delivery

Traditional methods of intravitreal delivery of therapeutic agents rely on the random, passive diffusion of molecules, which do not allow for the rapid delivery of a concentrated cargo to a defined region at the posterior pole of the eye. The use of particles promises targeted delivery but the tight macromolecular matrix of the vitreous compartment acts as a barrier and prevents its penetration. So far, the transport of nano-vehicles has only been demonstrated in model systems or biological fluids, but not in real tissue

According to european-biotechnology.com, researchers at Max-Planck-Institut for Intelligent Systems have now presented novel intravitreal delivery microvehicles called slippery micropropellers that can be actively propelled through the vitreous humor to reach the retina (Science Advances). The propulsion of the micropropellers, which are are only 500 nm wide – exactly small enough to fit through the tight molecular matrix of the gel-like substance in the vitreous – is achieved by helical micropropellers. The nanodevices can be moved in a magnetic field and that have a liquid layer coating to minimise adhesion to the surrounding biopolymeric network. The submicrometer diameter of the propellers enables the penetration of the biopolymeric network and the propulsion through the porcine vitreous body of the eye over centimeter distances.

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