Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

A Microrobotic System Based on Engineered Bacteria for Targeted Self-Driven Photodynamic Therapy

  • Kai Jin
  • , Lin Yu
  • , Yue Zhang
  • , Luqi Niu
  • , Yi Huang
  • , Yong Zhang*
  • , Yihan Wu*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

6 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used clinically to treat superficial tumors for decades. However, its effectiveness against deep-seated tumors has been limited by the inefficient delivery of the key components -light, photosensitizer, and oxygen- required for the photochemical reactions in PDT. Here, we present a novel platform that enables the photochemical reaction to occur in a self-driven manner, eliminating the need for external delivery of these components and instead orchestrating their endogenous generation within tumors. This was achieved by genetically modifying probiotic Escherichia coli to host three modules - Lux, Hem1, and KatG - responsible for light production, photosensitizer biosynthesis, and oxygen generation, respectively. The system is self-driven, relying solely on substrates within E. coli cells and tumors. The modules exhibited prolonged activity for days within in vivo mouse models, enabling metronomic PDT that induced an immune response. This research holds promise for revolutionizing PDT and overcoming the enduring challenges encountered in its application for treating deep-seated tumors. © 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202414347
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume64
Issue number2
Online published28 Nov 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Jan 2025

Research Keywords

  • Microrobot
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Synthetic biology
  • Tumor therapy

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • COPYRIGHT TERMS OF DEPOSITED POSTPRINT FILE: This is the accepted version of the following article: Jin, K., Yu, L., Zhang, Y., Niu, L., Huang, Y., Zhang, Y., & Wu, Y. (2025). A Microrobotic System Based on Engineered Bacteria for Targeted Self-Driven Photodynamic Therapy. Angewandte Chemie - International Edition, 64(2), Article e202414347, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202414347.
  • This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A Microrobotic System Based on Engineered Bacteria for Targeted Self-Driven Photodynamic Therapy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this