Swedish researchers, at the Karolinska Institute, have achieved breakthrough in research into biotechnological tools. They use advanced genetic engineering techniques to create a “Treatment Vehicle” that is only activated close to the Tumour mass in human body.   The breakthrough research into biotechnological tools is capable of selectively targeting cancer cells. While targeting the cancer cells this tool leaves healthy cells unaffected. Now we called it “Nanorobot”

According to the study published in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, the Robot’s weapon is hidden in a nanostructure and is exposed only in the Tumour microenvironment. These Nanorobots act as a kind of switch that activates the cancer treatment only at the right time and in the right place.

What are Nanorobots?

Nanorobots are tiny devices designed to work on a nanometer scale. They have the magnitude scale of nanometers. Nanometer is one billionth of a meter. Nanorobots can interact directly with cells, performing multiple functions.

How does Nanorobot work?

These Nanorobots are designed using a DNA origami technique that allows researchers to build intricate structures at the nanoscale. These structures hold a peptide weapon, which, under normal circumstances, would cause indiscriminate cell death.

However, the researchers have cleverly engineered a “kill switch” that only triggers the weapon when the surrounding environment has an acidic pH typical of cancerous tissues. In lab tests, they showed that at a normal pH of 7.4, the nanostructure remained harmless, but once exposed to a lower pH, around 6.5 (common in tumors), the weapon was activated, killing cancer cells.

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The Scientists have tested the Nanorobot on mice with breast cancer, leading to a remarkable more than 70% reduction in tumor growth.

While using these biological tools “Nanorobot” neurologist managed to transport a series of molecules, “Ligands”, inside Tumours. Those molecules bind to specific proteins on the surface of cancer cells, known as “Tumour Necrosis Factor (TNF) receptors”. Once activated by the ligands, the TNF receptors trigger the programmed death of the cells.