Young scientists from NUST MISIS and Russian National Research Medical University named after

Pirogov created "biomicrobots".

This is a hybrid of magnetic nanoparticles and antibodies to proteins of cancer cells, which will help in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

This is reported in the Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials.

Such hybrid particles act as markers - when they enter the blood, they are able to detect cancer cells, find and mark various macromolecules in living tissues of the body for further visualization, the scientists report.

For this, the nanoparticles were specially combined with antibodies of specific proteins of cancer tumors.

Scientists first synthesized by thermal decomposition uniformly shaped iron oxide nanoparticles 40-50 nm in size.

Then they were modified with molecules derived from the neurotransmitter dopamine, which the body can produce.

  • The development is intended for accurate diagnosis and further visualization of pathological cells, as well as for many other medical applications.

  • © NUST MISIS

At the next stage, the surface of the particles was coated with a viscous organic polymer polyethylene glycol to create a protective shell, and antibodies with a luminescent dye were attached to them.

As a result, it was possible to obtain "biomicrobots" with organic shells that perform protective functions.

"Magnetic nanoparticles can" work "in a living organism not by themselves, but due to organic shells that protect them from oxidation and degradation in aggressive media, and also increase the hydrophilicity of the surface and reduce cytotoxicity," nanomaterials NUST MISIS Anna Ivanova.

Scientists note that their development is primarily intended for accurate diagnosis and further visualization of pathological cells that are capable of not detecting themselves for a considerable time, delay the development of the disease and lead to its transition to late stages.

“If certain markers, such as proteins, enzymes and antibodies, are 'attached' to the stabilized coating of nanoparticles, they will target the nanoparticles in the bloodstream to specific 'targets'.

For example, they will attach to receptors on the surface of cancer cells, ”explained Anna Ivanova.

According to Ivanova and her colleagues, in addition to diagnostics, "biomicrobots" can be used for targeted drug delivery, treatment with hyperthermia, as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for mechanical action on the body using a magnetic field.

According to the research team, work on "biomicrobots" continues.

Scientists are currently preparing to conduct the first preclinical studies.