Using tiny robots to deliver cancer treatment directly to the lungs
Official title: Aerosolized microbots as a platform for targeted lung therapy
Funded at Colorado School of Mines · NIH-11132406 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring a new way to treat lung cancer using tiny robots that you can breathe in, which deliver medicine right to the cancer cells in your lungs, aiming to make treatment more effective and with fewer side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado School of Mines NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Golden, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $416,796 |
| NIH project number | 1R01EB037377-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11132406 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with lung cancer, particularly those in advanced stages requiring chemotherapy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with early-stage lung cancer or those not requiring chemotherapy may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to lung cancer treatment by utilizing aerosolized microbots that can be inhaled and assembled within the lungs. These microbots are designed to carry chemotherapeutic agents directly to cancerous cells, minimizing the side effects associated with traditional chemotherapy. The project aims to optimize the delivery of these microbots using magnetic fields to ensure they reach the targeted areas within the lung. By focusing on specific locations, the goal is to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment while reducing systemic toxicity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve lung cancer treatment outcomes by providing targeted therapy that reduces harmful side effects.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of microbots for drug delivery is a novel approach, similar targeted delivery methods have shown promise in other areas of cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Marr, David Wm — Colorado School of Mines
- Study coordinator: Marr, David Wm
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.