Nanorobots successfully deal with oral fungal infections “rapidly and precisely”

With fungal infections and antifungal resistance in the global health spotlight thanks to efforts by the World Health Organization, it’s timely that researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed magnetically controlled nanorobots that increase the efficiency treating fungal infections in the oral cavity.

While nanomaterials were already being employed as anti-fungal agents, an article in the Dental Tribune notes that while they "have demonstrated potential as anti-fungal agents ... [they] lack the necessary efficacy and specificity, leading to longer treatment times, potential unexpected effects and drug resistance."

The new nanorobots however are proving far more successful, with the new system, developed through a collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania’s dental school and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, using nanoparticles “that can brush, floss and rinse teeth in a single step, helping to effectively eliminate biofilm from teeth”.

The study was driven by an identified need for improved nanoparticle efficiency in dealing with fungal infections in the oral cavity as co-researcher Prof. Hyun Michel Koo of the university’s Department of Orthodontics explains:

“Candida forms tenacious biofilm infections that are particularly hard to treat. Current anti-fungal therapies lack the potency and specificity required to quickly and effectively eliminate these pathogens.”

The use of magnetic nanoparticles means that much greater speficity can be attached to treatment, according to co-researcher Dr Edward Steager, a research investigator at the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

The hope is that these research efforts will make a real difference in fighting fungal infections.

“We’ve uncovered a powerful tool in the fight against pathogenic fungal infections. What we have achieved here is a significant leap forward, but it’s also just the first step. The magnetic and catalytic properties combined with unexpected binding specificity to fungi open exciting opportunities for an automated ‘target-bind-and-kill’ anti-fungal mechanism. We are eager to delve deeper and unlock its full potential.”

For the full story, go to "Nanorobots quickly and effectively target fungal infections in the oral cavity"