Chemical multiscale robotics for bacterial biofilm treatment
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Date
2024-03-03
Authors
Mayorga-Martinez, Carmen C.
Zhang, Li
Pumera, Martin
ORCID
0000-0001-5846-2951Advisor
Referee
Mark
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY
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Abstract
A biofilm constitutes a bacterial community encased in a sticky matrix of extracellular polymeric substances. These intricate microbial communities adhere to various host surfaces such as hard and soft tissues as well as indwelling medical devices. These microbial aggregates form a robust matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs), leading to the majority of human infections. Such infections tend to exhibit high resistance to treatment, often progressing into chronic states. The matrix of EPS protects bacteria from a hostile environment and prevents the penetration of antibacterial agents. Modern robots at nano, micro, and millimeter scales are highly attractive candidates for biomedical applications due to their diverse functionalities, such as navigating in confined spaces and targeted multitasking. In this tutorial review, we describe key milestones in the strategies developed for the removal and eradication of biofilms using robots of different sizes and shapes. It can be seen that robots at different scales are useful and effective tools for treating bacterial biofilms, thus preventing persistent infections, the loss of costly implanted medical devices, and additional costs associated with hospitalization and therapies. This tutorial review describes key milestones in the strategies developed to remove and eradicate bacterial biofilms using robots of different sizes and shapes.
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Citation
Chemical Society Reviews. 2024, vol. 53, issue 5, p. 2284-2299.
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/cs/d3cs00564j
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2024/cs/d3cs00564j
Document type
Peer-reviewed
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Published version
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en