Enteric Micromotor Can Selectively Position and Spontaneously Propel in the Gastrointestinal Tract

作者：Jinxing Li, Soracha Thamphiwatana, Wenjuan Liu, Berta Esteban‐Fernández de Ávila, Pavimol Angsantikul, Elodie Sandraz, Jianxin Wang, Jianxing Wang, Tailin Xu, Fernando Soto, Valentin Ramez, Xiaolei Wang, Weiwei Gao, Liangfang Zhang, Joseph Wang, Joseph Wang · 发表于：ACS Nano · 年份：2016 · DOI：10.1021/acsnano.6b04795 · 被引用次数：276 · 研究领域：Micro and Nano Robotics、Microfluidic and Bio-sensing Technologies、Advanced Materials and Mechanics

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which hosts hundreds of bacteria species, becomes the most exciting organ for the emerging microbiome research. Some of these GI microbes are hostile and cause a variety of diseases. These bacteria colonize in different segments of the GI tract dependent on the local physicochemical and biological factors. Therefore, selectively locating therapeutic or imaging agents to specific GI segments is of significant importance for studying gut microbiome and treating various GI-related diseases. Herein, we demonstrate an enteric micromotor system capable of precise positioning and controllable retention in desired segments of the GI tract. These motors, consisting of magnesium-based tubular micromotors coated with an enteric polymer layer, act as a robust nanobiotechnology tool for site-specific GI delivery. The micromotors can deliver payload to a particular location via dissolution of their enteric coating to activate their propulsion at the target site toward localized tissue penetration and retention.