MAGnetic hyperthermia agents based on Magnetically Activated microroBOTS.

Objective

The MAGMAbots project proposes the development of three innovative magnetically actuated microrobots (MAMs)—based on magnetic nanoparticles (MNP)-loaded neutrophils, probiotic bacteria, and magnetotactic bacteria—for cancer therapy through magnetic hyperthermia (MHT) and advanced imaging. The objectives are: (1) to design and characterize neu-MAGMAbot, an MAM based on neutrophils, evaluating its penetration across a 3D blood–brain barrier (BBB) model and its anticancer activity against glioblastoma; (2) to engineer pro-MAGMAbot, a probiotic-based microrobot, and test its targeting, cytotoxicity, and hyperthermia performance in colorectal cancer spheroids; and (3) to develop mag-MAGMAbot, MAMs based on magnetotactic bacteria with enhanced magnetosome-based magnetic and diagnostic properties. The project will achieve these objectives based on a patented-driven methodology. This strategy preserves cell viability while enabling robust MNP internalization, and subsequent magnetic guidance via rotating magnetic fields, and real-time tracking through MPI/MRI. The work plan integrates advanced nanoparticle engineering, microfluidic BBB-on-chip models, 3D cancer spheroids, and multimodal imaging technologies, supported by the host group’s expertise in nanomaterials, magnetism, and biomedical applications. Aligned with Horizon Europe’s Health Cluster and the Mission on Cancer, MAGMAbots directly addresses the challenge of developing innovative, non-invasive, and cost-effective therapeutic solutions for hard-to-treat tumours such as glioblastoma and colorectal cancer. Beyond the project’s duration, the results are expected to pave the way for scalable, patentable biohybrid microrobots, reduce healthcare costs, and reinforce European leadership in nanomedicine and biomedical innovation.