Multiplex Modular Nanorobotic Systems with Catalytic Activity under Magnetic Navigation
ABSTRACT Nano‐ and microrobot technologies are rapidly advancing as powerful platforms for controlled and multifunctional activity at the nanoscale. However, engineering multifunctional nanorobots that integrate propulsion control, real‐time tracking, targeting, and biochemical activity remains a central challenge in nanorobotics. Here, we report a modular strategy for constructing multiplex nanorobotic systems composed of magnetic Janus nanoparticles as propulsion modules and polymersome‐based extension modules loaded with fluorescent dye or enzymes. Complementary DNA pairing drives programmable self‐organization, ensuring well‐defined module assembly and orthogonal separation of functions. The resulting nanorobots demonstrate precise magnetic navigation, optical tracking, enzymatic catalysis, and cell surface docking. Our programmable modules enable the integration of therapeutic functionalities based on enzymatic activity together with magnetic guidance and, crucially, reusability across multiple enzymatic cycles. This strategy provides a blueprint for designing adaptive nanorobotic systems that integrate modules with diverse functions in a programmable and reconfigurable format.
Authors
- Nicolás Moreno Gómez
- Voichiţa Mihali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9983-2717)
- Michał Skowicki
- Cora‐Ann Schoenenberger (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2933-7435)
- Peer Fischer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8600-5958)
- Xinan Huang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8538-8486)
- Lucie Motyčková
- Cornelia G. Palivan (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7777-5355)
Institutions
- University of Basel (CH)
- Yonsei University (KR)
- Heidelberg University (DE)
- Max Planck Institute for Medical Research (DE)
- Institute for Basic Science (KR)
- Korea Advanced Nano Fab Center (KR)
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (CH)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Advanced Functional Materials
- Published
- 2026-05-01
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202600079
- Primary Topic
- Micro and Nano Robotics
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Universität Basel
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
- Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung
- Swiss Nanoscience Institute