Final Report Summary - MRECB (Molecular Robots Exhibiting Collective Behaviours)
Project MRECB focused on the design, study, and implementation of nanoscale robots fabricated from synthetic DNA molecules used as building blocks. The project produced robots capable of displaying collective behaviours and swarm intelligence for a variety of medical and therapeutic applications. During the project, data was accumulated regarding the biodistribution and safety of these robots in animals, their programming to be aware of any off-target damage they cause, and new implementations were demonstrated, such as guidance of injured nerve endings in animals, for regeneration purposes. In addition, methods were devised for their bulk synthesis, and new therapeutic payloads were made. Altogether, the project resulted in a unique technology with immense potential for future medicine.