Paper: GS – III, Subject: Science and Technology, Topic: Bio – Technology, Issue: Nanobots.
Context:
An IISc Bengaluru–led innovation in magnetic nanobots for targeted cancer treatment has attracted worldwide attention following Dr Ambarish Ghosh receiving the 2025 New York Academy of Sciences–Tata Sons Transformation Prize.
Key Takeaways:
What Are Nanobots?
- Nanobots, short for nanorobots or nanomachines, are microscopic robots designed to operate at the nanoscale.Â
- Their size is typically measured in nanometers (one nanometer = one-billionth of a meter), meaning they are roughly the size of biological cells or large molecules.
- Function: They are programmable machines that can perform specific tasks at the molecular or cellular level.
- Materials: Often made from biocompatible substances like silica, DNA, metals (e.g., iron for magnetism), or even living cells (in “xenobots “).
How they work?
- IISc’s nanobots are helical, bacteria-inspired nanoswimmers that move like a corkscrew or propeller.
- A magnetic component (iron) allows external magnetic fields to guide and steer them precisely through blood, dense tissue, and even cells.
- Drugs are coated on the surface or tip, enabling direct delivery to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue.
- They can also generate localized heat (>42°C) under magnetic fields to destroy cancer cells (magnetic hyperthermia).
Key features:
- Targeted precision: Preferentially bind to cancer cells, reducing collateral damage to healthy tissues.
- Deep tissue penetration: Can access dense and poorly vascularised tumours invisible to conventional scans.
- Multifunctionality: Act as drug carriers, therapeutic agents, and imaging beacons (visible under MRI).
- Biocompatible materials: Made of silica and iron, materials already used safely in medical applications.
- Broad applicability: Proven effective against ovarian and breast cancer cells, bacteria, and dental infections; potential use in dentistry and regenerative medicine.
Limitations:
- Currently validated mainly on Cell Cultures and animal models
- human clinical trials pending.
- Requires extensive safety validation and approvals.
- Market adoption depends on mass production, affordability, and clinician acceptance.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2026 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
â—‰ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
â—‰ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
â—‰ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040