Magnetically actuated microrobotic system for sequential treatment of biofilm
Abstract
Biofilm-associated infections present a critical therapeutic challenge due to antibiotic resistance and impaired tissue healing. Here, we present a microrobotic system (MZ-8) that integrates real-time human-steered navigation with autonomous, microenvironment-responsive therapy to actively eradicate biofilms and promote tissue regeneration. This microrobotic system features a spine-inspired structure for mechanical biofilm disruption, a pH-responsive ZIF-8 coating for immunomodulatory Zn 2+ release, and closed-loop actuation under second near-infrared fluorescence guidance. In a rat model of periprosthetic joint infection, MZ-8 achieved effective biofilm removal, induced a pro-regenerative immune response by polarizing macrophages toward the M2 phenotype, and significantly enhanced tissue regeneration. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed the activation of immunomodulatory pathways and upregulation of M2-associated genes, confirming the system’s sequential shift from eradication to repair. Moreover, validation in a rabbit model and human knee joint confirmed its operational feasibility under clinical imaging guidance and excellent biosafety. This work establishes that integrating physical eradication, biochemical immunomodulation, and interactive control within a single system is essential for advancing from infection clearance to functional tissue restoration. Thus, it provides a therapeutic paradigm for biofilm-associated diseases and lays a foundation for future intelligent, clinically adaptive anti-infective systems.
Article Details
Journal Info
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
National Academy of Sciences
Authors (24)
Shunyao Li
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Yu Mei
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Kai Xu
Huaixuan Sheng
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Yu-An Chen
Mingda Teng
College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Fudan University
Bohan Xu
Department of Pathology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University
Bingqian Jiang
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Chengxuan Yu
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Huizhu Li
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University
Shiyun Zhao
International Institute for Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University
Yi Wang
Xiao Zhang
Yiyang Zhao
Institute of Natural Sciences, Shanghai Jiaotong University
Yueming Wang
Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Yan Wo
Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
Zhaochen Li
School of Basic Medical Science, Fudan University
Siwen Shen
School of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen)
Yunxia Li
General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University Yinchuan China
Min Tang
Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Department of Paediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Sichuan University
Yongfeng Mei
International Institute of Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems & State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University
Jun Chen
Gaoshan Huang
International Institute of Intelligent Nanorobots and Nanosystems & State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, College of Intelligent Robotics and Advanced Manufacturing, Fudan University
Sijia Feng
Sports Medicine Institute of Fudan University, Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University