€1.2 million project to develop living ‘magnetobots’ for cancer targeting

Researchers at Aston University are leading a €1.2 million European project to develop engineered microorganisms that could one day help detect and treat solid tumours using magnetic control and imaging.

The MagBIO project, funded through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges programme, brings together 18 academic and industrial partners across Europe and the US to explore the use of magnetotactic bacteria as ‘living magnetobots’ for cancer theranostics.

These naturally occurring bacteria produce internal magnetic particles, known as magnetosomes, which allow them to orient in response to magnetic fields. The project aims to harness this capability to guide engineered bacteria towards tumour sites, where they could support both imaging and targeted drug delivery.

Researchers plan to functionalise the bacteria with therapeutic payloads, including anti-cancer drugs, liposomes and immune-modulating agents, while tracking their movement using imaging techniques such as MRI.

Project lead Dr Alfred Fernandez-Castane said:

“The field is still at an early stage, but the potential is truly exciting. By building on a strong foundation of pioneering research, MagBIO aims to create the interdisciplinary momentum needed to advance next-generation theranostics based on living bacteria.”

The consortium will also investigate how magnetotactic bacteria can be reliably grown and scaled using bioreactor systems, with a focus on controlling oxygen levels, nutrient supply and production conditions. Additional work will examine sustainability, including process efficiency, waste reduction and potential reuse of by-products.

The project brings together expertise in microbiology, cancer biology, materials science, imaging and process engineering. Partners include CEA, University of Sheffield and Diamond Light Source, alongside multiple European and US organisations spanning magnetic materials, drug delivery and biomanufacturing.

MagBIO will also train early-stage and experienced researchers through cross-institutional secondments, aiming to develop the next generation of specialists in bioengineered therapeutic systems.

More information online