Tiny backpacks for cells

Polymer patches could ferry drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis

In 2008, Researchers at MIT developed a method for attaching a drug "backpack" to immune cells (specifically T cells and B cells). The procedure was completely unharmful to the cells, supported by their ability to perform normal their functions. In addition the backpacks could be outfitted with magnetic nanoparticles that allowed for researchers to "guide" the cells via magnetic fields.

To be introduced into the body, the "backpacks" are placed on a patch that is inserted within the body. The backpacks are made of 3 layers, with one being the backpacks ability to attach to the patch, the middle layer being the layer containing the drug, and the top layer acting as the "hook" by which the backpack "catches" passing cells. The cells are then released from the patch by changing the temperature (which releases the backpacks).

Because of the nature of this method, the drugs can be carried to a vast majority of the body, carrying a plethora of varying drugs. In this specific case, the backpacks are designed to target tumors/cancer or to be used towards tissue engineering (delivering drugs, etc.). Because the drugs are attached to the body's own cell and is unobtrusive, this especially helps for the process to be able to overcome any resistance issues.

I found this article to be especially pertinent to our discussions because it encompasses many ideas from class, such as methods for the robot to carry drugs, or the ability to manufacture ways to promote cell growth (stem cells, etc.). I believe that this is a highly innovative and oddly very successful method for drug delivery, especially due to its simplicity.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2008/cellbackpack-1106.html