title: Micro and nanomotors in diagnostics.
abstract: Synthetic micro/nanomotors are tiny devices than can be self-propelled or externally powered in the liquid phase by different types of energy source including but not limited to: catalytic, magnetic or acoustic. Showing a myriad of mechanical movements, building block materials, sizes, shapes and propulsion mechanisms micro/nanomotors are amenable to diagnostics and therapeutics. Herein we describe the most relevant micro/nanomotors, their fabrication pathways, propulsion strategies as well as in vivo and in vitro applications related with oligonucleotides, proteins, cells and tissues. We also discuss the main challenges in these applications such as the influence of complex media and toxicity issues as well as future perspectives.
authors.affiliation: ICN2 - Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Campus UAB, Bellaterra (Barcelona) 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Andrzej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chałupniak
authors.affiliation: ICN2 - Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Campus UAB, Bellaterra (Barcelona) 08193, Spain.
authors.forename: Eden
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Morales-Narváez
authors.affiliation: ICN2 - Nanobioelectronics & Biosensors Group, Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia, Campus UAB, Bellaterra (Barcelona) 08193, Spain; ICREA - Institucio Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Barcelona 08010, Spain. Electronic address: arben.merkoci@icn.cat.
authors.forename: Arben
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Merkoçi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D055616:Microtechnology; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D036103:Nanotechnology
keywords: Biosensors; Drug delivery systems; In vitro bioassays; Micromotors; Nanomotors; Nanowires