journal article·2025-11Open access

Microwave‐Activated Bacterial Biorobot for Multimodal Cancer Therapy

Huilan Zhuang, Yongjian Zhang, Yajuan Fu, Dangjin Ke, Qi Chen, Sijie Shao, Panpan Xue, Yuanchun Chen, Xuemei Zeng, Shuangqian Yan

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 41

Abstract

Abstract Advances in synthetic biology have enabled innovative strategies for cancer therapy, yet precise control of therapeutic expression and biosafety remain critical challenges. To address these issues, a bacterial hybrid biorobot is developed using Escherichia coli (MG1655) engineered for localized activation by microwaves. Upon activation, the biorobot expresses glucose oxidase (GOx) at tumor sites, leading to glucose depletion and hydrogen peroxide generation. Surface‐attached Cu 2 O nanoparticles catalyze this hydrogen peroxide through a Fenton‐like reaction, producing reactive oxygen species that drive multiple forms of tumor cell death, including apoptosis, ferroptosis, and cuproptosis. Comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies confirm the efficacy of this approach, while transcriptomic analysis reveals disruption of glucose metabolism and robust activation of antitumor immune responses. This work demonstrates the potential of this engineered bacterial platform as a safe and versatile tool for precise, multimodal cancer treatment.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Cancer Research and Treatments · Molecular Communication and Nanonetworks · Nanoplatforms for cancer theranostics

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Flexible Electronics Strait Institute of Flexible Electronics (SIFE Future Technologies) Fujian Normal University Fuzhou 350007 P. R. China

The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University Harbin Heilongjiang 150000 China

Key Laboratory of Innate Immune Biology of Fujian Province Biomedical Research Center of South China College of Life Sciences Fujian Normal University 1 Keji Road Fuzhou 350117 P. R. China

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China

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