# Small Scale Robotics for Automated Dental Biofilm Treatment

> **NIH NIH R56** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $656,411

## Abstract

Oral biofilm-related infections remain a persistent and costly clinical problem. Existing treatments are unable to
simultaneously kill and physically disrupt biofilms and require manual biofilm removal procedures that are
cumbersome with limited efficacy in difficult to reach areas such as the endodontic canal systems. New
efficacious, automated technologies capable of precisely targeting complex anatomical areas are needed to kill
bacteria as well as degrade and remove biofilm structure. We propose a novel approach that combines
nanotechnology and robotics to develop the first automated biofilm eradication platform. We have designed
small-scale robots using catalytic nanoparticles as building blocks that display tether-free controlled motion with
multifunctionality. Our approach exploits iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with dual catalytic-magnetic properties
that (i) generate bactericidal and biofilm degrading reactive molecules in situ, and (ii) remove the disrupted biofilm
via magnetic-field driven robotic assemblies termed Catalytic Antibiofilm Robots (CARs). Preliminary data
demonstrate that CARs locally target and remove biofilms with high precision and efficacy, including confined
endodontic spaces. We hypothesize that, by tuning CARs magneto-catalytic properties to enhance the
‘kill-degrade-and-remove’ mechanism, improved antibiofilm efficacy and maneuverability can be
achieved for targeted endodontic disinfection and drug delivery. To achieve this, we propose (Aim 1) to
improve the catalytic and magnetic properties of IONP building blocks via physicochemical modifications
including particle size and surface functionalization to enhance catalysis, biofilm targeting and controllability. We
will assess catalytic efficiency, magnetic field response, and bioactivity to identify key parameters for CAR
improvement. Then, optimized IONPs will be incorporated into two CARs platforms. CAR1s, formed from
aggregated IONP, will be used for catalytic bacterial killing and biofilm treatment in root canal systems (Aim 2).
We will determine the principles governing magnetic field response and antibiofilm activity, and test the efficacy
of these robots to remove biofilms in difficult-to-reach areas in a controlled manner. We will assess bioactivity
and maneuverability considering key anatomical and biological complexities using mixed-species biofilm and
diverse canal morphologies recapitulated in 3D-printed teeth and ex vivo models. In the second platform, CAR2s
will be fabricated by 3D micromolding of functional polymers with embedded IONPs for biofilm removal and drug
delivery in the interior of tooth canal (Aim 3). We will study and optimize magnetic control, antibiofilm activity and
triggered cargo delivery conditions. Thereafter, we will apply information from the mechanistic studies to design
and evaluate CAR2s for simultaneous biofilm removal and drug delivery at the apical region using 3D printed
and ex vivo tooth models with mixed-species biofil...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10427076
- **Project number:** 1R56DE029985-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Hyun Koo
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $656,411
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-09-21 → 2023-09-21

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10427076

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10427076, Small Scale Robotics for Automated Dental Biofilm Treatment (1R56DE029985-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10427076. Licensed CC0.

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