Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 02 March 2026; doi:10.1038/s41565-025-02114-9
A metal-ion-assisted RNA folding technique is used to modulate the mechanical interactions between RNA nanoparticles and cell membranes for improved protein expression and mRNA therapy.Shared posts
05 Mar 11:09
Rational design of rigid mRNA folding architecture to enhance intracellular processing and protein production
by Bowei Yang
13 Jun 00:56
Biohybrid microrobots locally and actively deliver drug-loaded nanoparticles to inhibit the progression of lung metastasis | Science Advances
Abstract
Lung metastasis poses a formidable challenge in the realm of cancer treatment, with conventional chemotherapy often falling short due to limited targeting and low accumulation in the lungs. Here, we show a microrobot approach using motile algae for localized delivery of drug-loaded nanoparticles to address lung metastasis challenges. The biohybrid microrobot [denoted “algae-NP(DOX)-robot”] combines green microalgae with red blood cell membrane–coated nanoparticles containing doxorubicin, a representative chemotherapeutic drug. Microalgae provide autonomous propulsion in the lungs, leveraging controlled drug release and enhanced drug dispersion to exert antimetastatic effects. Upon intratracheal administration, algae-NP(DOX)-robots efficiently transport their drug payload deep into the lungs while maintaining continuous motility. This strategy leads to rapid drug distribution, improved tissue accumulation, and prolonged retention compared to passive drug-loaded nanoparticles and free drug controls. In a melanoma lung metastasis model, algae-NP(DOX)-robots exhibit substantial improvement in therapeutic efficacy, reducing metastatic burden and extending survival compared to control groups.
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18 Dec 05:00
Assembly of Fillable Microrobotic Systems by Microfluidic Loading with Dip Sealing
by Rujie Sun,
Xin Song,
Kun Zhou,
Yuyang Zuo,
Richard Wang,
Omar Rifaie‐Graham,
David Peeler,
Ruoxiao Xie,
Yixuan Leng,
Hongya Geng,
Giulia Brachi,
Yun Ma,
Yutong Liu,
Lorna Barron,
Molly M. Stevens
An integrated technique to fabricate fillable microrobotic systems is developed based on microfluidic loading with dip sealing (MLDS). The fillable chamber design isolates the loaded cargo from its surroundings, maintains cargo stability, and facilitates high loading capacity. This technique expands opportunities in microrobotics for targeted on-demand cargo release and biosensing with an all-in-one fabrication method.
Abstract
Microrobots can provide spatiotemporally well-controlled cargo delivery that can improve therapeutic efficiency compared to conventional drug delivery strategies. Robust microfabrication methods to expand the variety of materials or cargoes that can be incorporated into microrobots can greatly broaden the scope of their functions. However, current surface coating or direct blending techniques used for cargo loading result in inefficient loading and poor cargo protection during transportation, which leads to cargo waste, degradation and non-specific release. Herein, a versatile platform to fabricate fillable microrobots using microfluidic loading and dip sealing (MLDS) is presented. MLDS enables the encapsulation of different types of cargoes within hollow microrobots and protection of cargo integrity. The technique is supported by high-resolution 3D printing with an integrated microfluidic loading system, which realizes a highly precise loading process and improves cargo loading capacity. A corresponding dip sealing strategy is developed to encase and protect the loaded cargo whilst maintaining the geometric and structural integrity of the loaded microrobots. This dip sealing technique is suitable for different materials, including thermal and light-responsive materials. The MLDS platform provides new opportunities for microrobotic systems in targeted drug delivery, environmental sensing, and chemically powered micromotor applications.
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