‘Artificial Cilia’ to help move Drugs to its Target

In a major breakthrough, researchers at Kiel University have built nano-sized reproductions of natural cilia such as the ones in the human respiratory system that keep harmful pathogens from affecting lung function. These artificial cilia can be used to improve delivery by “pushing” particles along in a targeted manner. However, getting the cilia to move in an organized way was difficult. The researchers attached a unidirectional switch that directs each cilium to beat in a certain way in order to make them more uniformly effective. The team also put a molecular “suction cup” on each cilium that would help it adhere to drug delivery vehicles, particularly those made with gold Nano-particles. These artificial cilia come together to form sheets that resemble epithelium layers found in nature. These could, like their natural counterparts, help carry drugs through the bloodstream to a targeted site.