Micro and nanomotors in diagnostics

Andrzej Chałupniak, Eden Morales-Narváez, Arben Merkoçi. Volume 95, 1 December 2015, Pages 104–116

Synthetic micro/nanomotors are tiny devices than can be self-propelled or externally powered in the liquid phase by different types of energy source including but not limited to: catalytic, magnetic or acoustic. Showing a myriad of mechanical movements, building block materials, sizes, shapes and propulsion mechanisms micro/nanomotors are amenable to diagnostics and therapeutics. Herein we describe the most relevant micro/nanomotors, their fabrication pathways, propulsion strategies as well as in vivo and in vitro applications related with oligonucleotides, proteins, cells and tissues. We also discuss the main challenges in these applications such as the influence of complex media and toxicity issues as well as future perspectives.

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