Virus Enhanced Microrobots for Biofilm Eradication

Abstract

Biofilms pose significant challenges in biomedical, industrial, and environmental applications due to their inherent resistance to antimicrobial agents. This study introduced an innovative and effective strategy for biofilm eradication by employing virus-conjugated microrobots (virus@microbots). These biofunctionalized microrobots are synthesized via the hydrothermal method, followed by the functionalization of the viruses. The synergy of microrobots’ active movement and the virus's specificity boosted biofilm removal by enabling targeted binding, penetration, and effective delivery into the biofilm matrices. Additionally, compared to microrobots alone, virus@microbots significantly accelerated and refined the process. By integrating biological specificity with magnetic responsiveness, this approach demonstrated the efficacy of virus@microbots as a viable antibacterial strategy for biofilm elimination, offering a promising antibacterial platform for combating biofilm-associated infections. Future research should focus on optimizing microrobot design and viral conjugation protocols to enhance scalability and therapeutic specificity, paving the way for clinical translation and broader applications in infection control.