Russian Researchers Develop Nanoactuators for Non-Invasive Brain Drug Delivery

Russian Researchers Develop Nanoactuators for Non-Invasive Brain Drug Delivery
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Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) in Tomsk, Russia, in collaboration with researchers from Portugal and China, have developed nanoscale actuators designed to deliver drugs to the brain through the olfactory system, the university’s press service reported. The technology is based on core–shell nanoactuators that transform electrical energy into mechanical motion and can be controlled remotely using low-intensity magnetic fields that are considered safe for living tissue.

Each nanostructure features a manganese ferrite core coated with a ferroelectric perovskite shell. This combination creates a strong magneto-electric response, allowing external magnetic fields to trigger electrical stimulation in cells and tissues without invasive intervention.

According to project leader Roman Chernozem, the synthesis process avoids high-temperature annealing, which helps prevent the formation of large particles that could interfere with precise, targeted movement. The research team tested the nanoactuators on several models, including in vitro cultures of human brain cells, ex vivo slices of mouse hippocampus, and in vivo experiments on the olfactory system of mice.

The results, published in the Journal of Controlled Release, showed that neurons readily absorb the nanoparticles, enabling faster transport of therapeutic agents from the nasal cavity to the brain while preserving normal nasal tissue function. Researchers say the approach offers controlled, localized, and non-invasive delivery, with potential applications in treating neurodegenerative diseases and brain cancers.