Biomedical Chemistry: Crafting a Nano Spine for Intricate Deliveries Inside the Body

Lead Researcher // Professor Yufeng WANG, Associate Professor of the Department of Chemistry
Collaborator // The Chinese University of Hong Kong 

 

Inspired by the human spine’s strength and flexibility, our researchers developed ‘MicroSpine’, a remarkable microscale innovation using colloidal assembly. Unlike traditional methods, this technique offers precise control and higher yield in creating microscale structures. 

 

The team crafted particles from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a porous material known for its high directionality and customisable properties. These particles serve as the rigid component, merging with soft liquid droplets to form linear chains — the hard and soft components alternate positions in the chain, mimicking the spine's structure. 

Its unique adaptability allows it to encapsulate tiny cargo, much like a miniature vehicle delivering medicine precisely where it is needed in our bodies. Moreover, its precise construction paves the way for creating super-sensitive sensors or smart microrobots capable of intricate tasks.

 

我們的研究團隊開發了一種名為MicroSpine 的微米級仿脊椎結構，其靈活變形的特性可用作開發微型驅動器等。這項技術通過膠體組裝實現，能夠執行微米級的複雜任務，如標靶藥物傳遞和局部感測等。