Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Bacteria Harnessed As Micro-Robot Motors

Posted by kdawson on from the 15-microns-a-second dept.

ElectricBrian writes "Researchers have found a way to propel micro-capsules by attaching bacteria (S. marcescens, the type that makes your shower curtain moldy). Scientists at Carnegie Mellon University fixed the bacteria to the micro-capsules and then used chemicals to turn on and off their motion-producing flagella. Quoting: 'In the future, such hybrid swimming micro-robots could even be used to deliver drugs inside the liquid environments of the human body, such as the urinary tract, eyeball cavity, ear, and cerebrospinal fluid...'"

1 of 68 comments (clear)

  1. Mold in the eye of the beholder... by flyingfsck · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Deliver drugs to the inside of the eye using mold? They don't think there would be a minor complication with getting rid of the mold afterwards?

    --
    Excuse me, but please get off my Pennisetum Clandestinum, eh!