Nanorobotics is an intriguing discipline that is continuously seeking new ways to construct and use tiny machines ranging in size from 0.1 to 10 micrometers. And, in many respects, science is guided by the majesty of nature. While real nanorobots are still being developed, biological machines such as our bodies’ cells have always functioned in amazing ways despite their small size.
Cancer, on the other hand, can occur when our cells malfunction. The concept of employing nanotechnology to correct cellular mistakes is intriguing, but there are significant obstacles to overcome. Scientists are hard at work on dependable ways of assembly, control and communication, and power transfer.
Yet, preliminary research is quite promising. The following are five potential applications for nanorobots in cancer treatment.
Diagnosis
While we are not yet ready to deploy nanorobots on a broad scale, a recent collaboration between Arizona State University and China’s National Center for Nanoscience and Technology resulted in the development of a robot with only a few hundred nanometers across. Consider that one inch includes 25 million nanometers.
The robots are small enough to be inserted into the mice’s bloodstream. Researchers discovered that the robots circulated similarly to white blood cells and were capable of identifying malignant cells when they encountered them.
This astonishing small device is able to do so because cancer cells utilize up to 28% more glucose than healthy cells. Nanorobots, as a diagnostic tool, may be able to warn clinicians and patients of the existence of cancer cells very early in their growth.
