The 114th ICREA Colloquium ‘The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine and Environmental Remediation’

ABSTRACT

Bahareh Khezri – ‘Synthetic Nano/Microrobots: Revolutionizing Environmental Sensing and Remediation’

Addressing growing environmental concerns driven by industrialization and population growth, our research focuses on developing synthetic nano/microrobots as next-generation tools for pollutant detection and remediation. Utilizing 2D materials, advanced photocatalytic systems, and autonomous sensing platforms, we achieve self-propulsion, high reactivity, and versatile functionality for applications like water purification and pollution monitoring. This presentation highlights breakthroughs in light-activated, polymeric, and 2D nanostructure-based microrobots for energy harvesting, contaminant degradation, and real-time monitoring, while emphasizing sustainable materials and eco-friendly fabrication. These advances showcase the transformative potential of nano/microrobots for scalable and sustainable environmental solutions.

Samuel Sánchez – ‘The Role of Nanobots in the Future of Nanomedicine’

Engineering medical nanomotors/nanobots will imply the use of biocompatible materials and bio-friendly propulsion mechanisms. Our strategy comprises the use of biocatalysts such enzymes for converting biologically available fuels, such as the urea contained in the urine, into a propulsive force. Moreover, nanoparticles’ chassis are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) material, FDA or EMA approved materials.

In my talk, I will present how we bioengineer hybrid nanobots combining the best from the two worlds: biology (enzymes) and (nano)technology (nano- micro-particles) providing swimming capabilities, biocompatibility, imaging, multifunctionality and actuation in vitro and in vivo. I will present some of the proof-of-concept applications of biocompatible nanobots such as the efficient transport of drugs into cancer cells and 3D spheroids, the imaging of swarms of nanobots in vivo in confined spaces like the bladder of living mice. Moreover, I will present our recent advances in the treatment of bladder cancer in mice using radionuclide-labelled nanobots and crossing mucus layers present in the colon of mice.