UCSD Scientists 3D-Print Micro-Fish Robots for Targeted Drug Delivery

This article was prepared from the source material provided, which describes research from the University of California, San Diego, and other institutions. No independent reporting or interviews were conducted.

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed microscopic 3D-printed robots shaped like fish that may one day be prescribed by doctors to deliver drugs or remove toxins inside the body. The research, led by Professors Shaochen Chen and Joseph Wang of the Nano Engineering Department, uses a high-resolution printing technique called microscale continuous optical printing (μCOP), which Chen developed.

The micro-fish are thinner than a human hair. They are printed using a device that employs 2 million tiny mirrors to direct UV light onto a photosensitive material, which solidifies where the light hits. The fish serve as a delivery vehicle for nanoparticles attached to their tails. Platinum particles react with hydrogen peroxide to propel the fish, while magnetic particles on their heads help steer them. [IMG_1]

How the Micro-Fish Work

In experiments, the fish were placed in a solution containing a toxin such as bee venom. Particles on the fish react with the toxin, causing a red glow. The fish swam through the solution and captured the toxin, and scientists monitored the intensity of the red glow to track the process. According to the researchers, the fish can both remove substances and deliver them, suggesting potential use for targeted drug delivery or as sensors. The goal is to deliver treatment to otherwise difficult-to-access parts of the body without causing ill effects.

Separately, researchers from Boston Children's Hospital and the University of Houston have developed 'millirobots'—small magnetic robots designed to swim through the bloodstream and spinal fluid. These robots can assemble into an electromagnetic gun, guided by a doctor, to inject drugs directly into areas of fluid buildup or blocked passageways. That project is also still working to scale down the robots appropriately. [IMG_2]

The micro-fish technology is still in development and not yet ready for clinical use. The work has been backed by grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. While the concept remains far from a doctor's office, the research represents a step toward microscopic robots that could one day perform targeted medical tasks inside the body.