Biodegradable Core–Shell Magnetic Microrobots With High Cell Capacity for Precise Co‐Delivery of Stem Cells and Bioactive Molecules

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Authors: Tan Tang, Han Gao, Lanyu Xing, Yu Hu, Yuqiong Wang, Hongxing Jia, Penghui Nie, Qi Zhang, Tujun Weng, Ye Xu
Cited by: 1
References: 27

Abstract

Cell-loaded magnetic microrobots hold promise for the targeted delivery of stem cells in tissue regeneration. However, achieving high cell-loading capacity alongside effective co-delivery of functional bioactive molecules remains a major challenge. Herein, we present a biodegradable magnetic microrobot featuring a core-shell architecture, designed to co-deliver stem cells and bioactive molecules. These microrobots are fabricated using a rotation-induced inertial focusing technique, which allows control over their size and morphology while significantly enhancing cell-loading capacity. The core, composed of a biodegradable magnetic microsphere (MMS), enables external magnetic navigation and sustained drug release, while the outer shell, formed by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), ensures therapeutic viability. The microrobots demonstrate robust magnetic maneuverability and spatial control even in complex and viscous environments. We validated their efficacy in both a rabbit in vivo model and an ex vivo human cartilage model, where co-delivery of MSCs and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β) led to significant improvements in cartilage repair and functional tissue regeneration. This biodegradable core-shell microrobot offers a scalable, multifunctional platform for efficient co-delivery of cells and bioactive molecules, with strong potential for clinical translation in regenerative medicine.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Micro and Nano Robotics Soft Robotics and Applications 3D Printing in Biomedical Research

Publication details

Journal / source
Small
Publisher
Wiley
Volume
22
Issue
45
Pages
e74212–e74212
Publication date
16 June 2026
Language
EN