Magnetic Field-Driven Strategies for Biofilm Disruption: From Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to Adaptive Swarms of Magnetic Microrobots

TL;DR

This paper reviews magnetic nanoparticle-based strategies, including magnetic microrobots, for disrupting biofilms, which are tough microbial communities.

Contribution

The paper systematically reviews the evolution of magnetic nanoscale tools from individual nanoparticles to adaptive magnetic microrobot swarms for biofilm disruption.

Findings

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles can be used for targeted drug delivery and mechanical disruption of biofilms.

Hierarchical assemblies of nanoparticles and magnetic microrobots offer enhanced antibiofilm functionalities.

Successful application of magnetic nanotools requires addressing material, biological, and engineering challenges.

Abstract

Biofilms, structured communities of microbial cells embedded
in
extracellular polymeric substances, are notorious for their resilience
against conventional antimicrobial treatments. They contribute significantly
to chronic infections and industrial biofouling, necessitating innovative
strategies for their eradication. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
have emerged as a promising tool in combating biofilms due to their
biocompatibility and unique physicochemical properties, which enable
magnetic delivery of antibacterial agents, magnetic hyperthermia,
magneto-mechanical actuation including mechanical biofilm disruption,
and reversible dynamic magnetic assembly into hierarchical structures.
This review describes developing stages of magnetic nanoscale weapons
against biofilms ranging from individual iron oxide nanoparticles
to complex hierarchical nanoparticle assemblies in the form of magnetic
robots and their swarms. A vast array of possible antibiofilm and
antibacterial functionalities originating from iron ions, individual
iron oxide nanoparticles, spherical nanoparticle assemblies, magnetic
robots, and swarms of robots are presented. Magnetic nanotools offer
significant improvements and advantages over conventional methods
for biofilm eradication, yet their successful future applications
depend on addressing and overcoming critical material, biological,
and engineering challenges.

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