Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology on 5th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) and BARC have developed light-driven multifunctional nanobots for targeted breast cancer therapy, as announced on August 5, 2026. These nanobots utilize near-infrared (NIR) light to achieve precise navigation and localized treatment through combined photothermal and photodynamic actions. Demonstrated successfully in cellular and animal models, this fuel-free platform aims to overcome the limitations of conventional chemotherapy and current nanomedicines.
Key Points / Main Content
Technological Innovation and Navigation
Developed upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based nanobots that convert NIR light into heat for directional movement, known as phototaxis.
Utilized a 980 nm NIR laser to create a temperature gradient via polydopamine, inducing thermally driven motion toward the laser source.
The system is fuel-free and controlled by external cues (NIR light) or internal cues (pH, enzymes, and glutathione concentration), providing better tissue penetration than ultraviolet or visible light.
Targeting and Therapeutic Mechanisms
Surface-functionalized the nanobots with folic acid to enable selective recognition of breast cancer cells that overexpress folate receptors.
Enabled the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through a photosensitizer upon NIR irradiation for photodynamic therapy.
Employs a dual-action treatment: simultaneous photothermal heating and ROS generation destroy cancer cells, resulting in enhanced tumor inhibition compared to single-modality treatments.
Research Outcomes and Efficacy
Validation of therapeutic efficacy was achieved in both cellular models and breast tumor-bearing mice.
The research, published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, highlights a minimally invasive approach to precision medicine.
The platform addresses common chemotherapy issues, such as non-specific drug distribution, poor tumor penetration, and damage to healthy tissues.
Impact Analysis
Researchers and Scientists (INST Mohali and BARC)Impact
The team has pioneered a UCNP-based nanobot-mediated phototherapy platform, establishing a new benchmark for precision medicine and stimulus-responsive nanorobotics.
Action Required
Continue advancing the research into clinical phases and explore the scalability of nanobot functionalization for other cancer types.
Medical Community and OncologistsImpact
The development offers a potential future alternative to conventional chemotherapy, promising higher efficacy with minimal systemic toxicity and reduced side effects for patients.
Action Required
Review the published findings in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c20372) to understand the technical requirements for localized NIR-based therapies.
Breast Cancer PatientsImpact
Patients stand to benefit from a more precise, externally controlled, and minimally invasive treatment option that protects healthy tissues while aggressively targeting tumors.
Action Required
No immediate action is required at this stage, as the technology has currently been demonstrated in cellular and animal models.
Key Entities Referenced
Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali: An autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology where researchers developed light-driven multifunctional nanobots for targeted breast cancer therapy.
Department of Science and Technology (DST): The administrative department under the Ministry of Science & Technology that oversees the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST).
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai: The collaborating institution involved in the development of upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based nanobots for cancer treatment.
Dr. Jiban Jyoti Panda: The lead scientist from INST, Mohali, who headed the research team in advancing UCNP-based nanobot-mediated cancer phototherapy.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Light-activated nano-robots can help targeted
breast cancer therapy
प्रव तथ: 05 AUG 2026 7:08PM by PIB Delhi
Researchers have developed an advanced light-driven multifunctional nanobot that can help targeted
breast cancer therapy.
Breast cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women worldwide.
Conventional chemotherapy often causes severe side effects, drug resistance, and damage to healthy
tissues due to non-specific drug distribution, poor tumor penetration, and lack of active control after
administration.
Current nanomedicines primarily rely on passive tumor accumulation, resulting in limited tissue
penetration and poor spatial control, while most light-powered micro/nanorobots require ultraviolet or
visible light with restricted tissue penetration and potential damage to healthy tissues. In contrast,
stimulus-responsive nanorobots, controlled by external (e.g., near-infrared light or magnetic fields) or
internal (e.g., pH or enzymes) cues, offer precise, targeted therapy with minimal systemic toxicity, making
them a promising future platform for precision medicine.
Scientists from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institute of
the Department of Science and Technology (DST), envisioned combining nanorobotics with phototherapy
to develop an intelligent therapeutic platform capable of actively navigating due to externally applied light
while simultaneously performing targeted cancer treatment.
Under the leadership of Dr. Jiban Jyoti Panda (INST, Mohali), in collaboration with Dr. Santosh K.
Gupta (BARC, Mumbai), Swapnil Srivastava, as the first author, together with Annu Balhara, Pankaj
Kharra, and Jyoti Yadav, developed upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP)-based nanobots capable of
efficiently converting near-infrared (NIR) light into heat and showed directional movement in presence of
NIR.
The team functionalized the nanobots with a photosensitizer, enabling the generation of reactive oxygen
species (ROS) upon NIR irradiation. The nanobots also exhibited light-guided directional movement
(phototaxis) upon NIR irradiation, facilitating localized therapeutic action. Furthermore, surface
functionalization with folic acid enabled selective recognition and targeting of breast cancer cells
overexpressing folate receptors, thereby enhancing tumor-specific phototherapeutic efficacy. This work
highlights the pioneering contribution of Swapnil Srivastava and the scientific leadership of the
corresponding authors, Dr. Jiban Jyoti Panda and Dr. Santosh K. Gupta, in advancing UCNP-based
nanobot-mediated cancer phototherapy.
When exposed to a 980 nm NIR laser, polydopamine generates localized heating, creating a temperature
gradient. The temperature gradient induces thermally driven motion, causing the nanobots to actively
move toward the laser source through phototaxis. Simultaneously, photothermal heating and
photodynamic ROS generation destroy cancer cells. The combined effects produce enhanced tumor
inhibition compared to individual treatment modalities.Fig: Schematic illustration of the therapeutic mechanism of NIR-responsive UCNP nanobot-mediated
phototherapy for breast tumour treatment. The illustration depicts the directional movement (phototaxis)
of UCNP nanobots under NIR laser irradiation, enabling localized photothermal and photodynamic
therapy.
The team has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in both cellular models and breast tumor-bearing mice.
The research published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces introduces a fuel-free, NIR-
responsive nanobot that integrates active light-guided movement (phototaxis) under biologically
compatible NIR irradiation, bringing about targeted delivery through folic acid-mediated cancer cell
recognition regulated by laser intensity, pH, and glutathione concentration in biological media.
This unique combination would allow precise, externally controlled, and minimally invasive treatment of
breast tumors through localized therapeutic action.
Publication link: DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5c20372
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