Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) in Stuttgart have developed a biohybrid microswimmer by coating microalgae with a thin layer of magnetic material. Remarkably, the algae's swimming ability remained largely unaffected by the added material. The team, from the Physical Intelligence Department at MPI-IS, published their findings in Matter, a journal covering materials science research.
Microalgae as Natural Swimmers
In nature, single-cell microalgae—just ten microns in size—are excellent swimmers, propelled by two whip-like flagella that allow them to move with great agility. The researchers wanted to determine whether covering these algae with a polymer-based magnetic coating would hinder their movement, especially in tight spaces or thick, mucus-like fluids.
Their experiments revealed that the coated algae maintained their fast swimming speeds, reaching an average of 115 micrometers per second (about 12 body lengths per second). By comparison, an Olympic swimmer like Michael Phelps moves at 1.4 body lengths per second—a significant difference considering the algae’s lack of limbs.
Turning Microalgae into Microrobots
The study was co-led by Birgül Akolpoglu and Saadet Fatma Baltaci, researchers from MPI-IS. Their previous work focused on bacteria-based microswimmers for drug delivery applications. In this study, they aimed to functionalize unicellular algae with magnetic nanoparticles, effectively transforming them into microrobots that can be remotely guided.
Coating the algae with the magnetic polymer was quick and efficient, successfully covering nine out of ten algae. The researchers then tested the microswimmers in a liquid with the same viscosity as water. Using external magnetic fields, they successfully directed the algae’s movement.
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To push their experiment further, the team steered the microrobots through miniature 3D-printed channels with confined spaces—just three times the algae’s size. Two different setups were used: one with magnetic coils and another with permanent magnets. By creating a uniform magnetic field and adjusting its direction, they controlled the movement of the algae within the confined spaces.
Magnetic Navigation in Confined Spaces
The team observed that the algae used three distinct navigation strategies in the microchannels:
Backtracking – moving back to the starting point when stuck.
Crossing – navigating through gaps unassisted.
Magnetic crossing – smoothly maneuvering forward when guided by a magnetic field.
"Without magnetic guidance, the algae often got stuck and had to backtrack. But when we applied magnetic control, they moved much more efficiently, like giving them a tiny GPS," explains Akolpoglu.
Testing in Mucus-Like Environments
In the next phase, the researchers tested how the microrobots performed in a viscous environment, similar to mucus in the human body. They found that higher viscosity slowed the algae down and altered their movement. However, when a magnetic field was applied, the algae oscillated in a zigzag motion, demonstrating how viscosity and magnetic control could be fine-tuned to optimize navigation in complex environments.
Future Applications in Biomedicine
The researchers envision using these microrobots in highly confined environments, such as human tissues, for applications like targeted drug delivery.
"Our findings open doors to biocompatible solutions for medical treatments, with exciting potential for future innovations in biomedicine and beyond," the team concludes.
Forum / Discussions à propos du jeu / Magnetically Controlled Microalgae Could Lead to Future Medical
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