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Peer-reviewedCC BYACS nano

Image-Guided Magnetic Microrobots for Microplastic Capture and Biofilm Removal in the Female Reproductive System.

  • Fatma M Yurtsever1
  • Sagar Arya1
  • Ester Maráková2
  • Roshan Velluvakandy1
  • Eva Odehnalová3
  • Jakub Hejč3
  • Zbyněk Heger2,4
  • Martin Pumera1,5,6,7
7 affiliations
  1. 1Future Energy and Innovation Laboratory, Central European Institute of Technology, Brno University of Technology, Purkyňova 123, Brno61200, Czech Republic.
  2. 2Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1665/1, Brno613 00, Czech Republic.
  3. 3International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital Brno, Pekařská 664/53, Brno602 00, Czech Republic.
  4. 4Center of Advanced Innovation Technologies, Faculty of Materials Science and Technology, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, OstravaCZ-708 00, Czech Republic.
  5. 5Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, No. 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung40402, Taiwan.
  6. 6Office of Research and Development, Asia University, Taichung40402, Taiwan.
  7. 7Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, VSB - Technical University of Ostrava, 17. Listopadu 2172/15, Ostrava70800, Czech Republic.
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Abstract

The health of the female reproductive system is increasingly threatened by emerging environmental contaminants that cause potential bacterial infections, cancer, and fertility problems. Yet effective strategies for the localized removal of these contaminants remain largely unexplored. Among these contaminants, microplastics have emerged as a major global health concern, with growing evidence of their accumulation in human tissues and associated with infectious diseases, carcinogenesis, cellular aging, and infertility due to direct or indirect contact with synthetic fabrics, plastic kitchenware, and disposable feminine hygiene products. Despite these risks, the removal of retained microplastics, particularly from sensitive reproductive environments, remains a significant challenge in biomedical research. Here, we report an image-guided magnetic soft microrobot platform designed for targeted microplastic capture and biofilm eradication within the female reproductive system. Magnetic soft microrobots were fabricated using a droplet solidification method and functionalized with a polydopamine coating via self-polymerization to enhance the surface adhesion and capture efficiency. Real-time visualization and precise navigation were enabled under X-ray fluoroscopy through the incorporation of tantalum-based contrast agents. Functionally, the magnetic soft microrobots inhibited up to 67% of biofilm growth and achieved microplastic capture efficiencies of up to 80% in phosphate-buffered saline and 50% in simulated vaginal fluid, demonstrating a robust performance under biologically relevant conditions. This study demonstrates the integration and application of image-guided microrobots for the removal of microplastics and biofilms in the female reproductive system, offering a promising strategy for minimally invasive interventions to protect reproductive health from environmental pollutants.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{yurtsever2026imageguided,
  title = {{Image-Guided Magnetic Microrobots for Microplastic Capture and Biofilm Removal in the Female Reproductive System.}},
  author = {Fatma M Yurtsever and Sagar Arya and Ester Maráková and Roshan Velluvakandy and Eva Odehnalová and Jakub Hejč and Zbyněk Heger and Martin Pumera},
  journal = {ACS nano},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1021/acsnano.6c02432},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42916069},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Image-Guided Magnetic Microrobots for Microplastic Capture and Biofilm Removal in the Female Reproductive System.
AU  - Fatma M Yurtsever
AU  - Sagar Arya
AU  - Ester Maráková
AU  - Roshan Velluvakandy
AU  - Eva Odehnalová
AU  - Jakub Hejč
AU  - Zbyněk Heger
AU  - Martin Pumera
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - ACS nano
DO  - 10.1021/acsnano.6c02432
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42916069
AB  - The health of the female reproductive system is increasingly threatened by emerging environmental contaminants that cause potential bacterial infections, cancer, and fertility problems. Yet effective strategies for the localized removal of these contaminants remain largely unexplored. Among these contaminants, microplastics have emerged as a major global health concern, with growing evidence of their accumulation in human tissues and associated with infectious diseases, carcinogenesis, cellular aging, and infertility due to direct or indirect contact with synthetic fabrics, plastic kitchenware, and disposable feminine hygiene products. Despite these risks, the removal of retained microplastics, particularly from sensitive reproductive environments, remains a significant challenge in biomedical research. Here, we report an image-guided magnetic soft microrobot platform designed for targeted microplastic capture and biofilm eradication within the female reproductive system. Magnetic soft microrobots were fabricated using a droplet solidification method and functionalized with a polydopamine coating via self-polymerization to enhance the surface adhesion and capture efficiency. Real-time visualization and precise navigation were enabled under X-ray fluoroscopy through the incorporation of tantalum-based contrast agents. Functionally, the magnetic soft microrobots inhibited up to 67% of biofilm growth and achieved microplastic capture efficiencies of up to 80% in phosphate-buffered saline and 50% in simulated vaginal fluid, demonstrating a robust performance under biologically relevant conditions. This study demonstrates the integration and application of image-guided microrobots for the removal of microplastics and biofilms in the female reproductive system, offering a promising strategy for minimally invasive interventions to protect reproductive health from environmental pollutants.
SN  - 1936-0851
SN  - 1936-086X
ER  -