| Would you like to help in some research on the regulation of what future AI-driven nanomedicines should look like? If so, researchers at the University of Bristol are looking for volunteers to discuss ethical and regulatory issues of using AI driven cancer therapies with swarm behaviour through a series of interviews. | |
| The research is part of the SWARM study – Small robots With collective behaviour as AI-driven cancer therapies; building Regulations for future nanoMedicines. | |
| The researchers are looking for: | |
|
|
| Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years old to take part. We would love to hear from you. You can find out more about the study on our SWARM study webpage or by contacting Matimba Swana at matimba.swana@bristol.ac.uk. | |
| If you would like to take part please complete this Expression of Interest Form. | |
About the SWARM study |
| Cancer occurs when abnormal cells divide in an uncontrolled way. Many cancers can be cured. But in some people cancer can return. Cancer drugs, such as chemotherapy, need to be able to kill all the cancer cells, but this means they can also kill healthy cells. | |
| Nanomedicine is the medical application of nanotechnology which works on tiny scales called ‘nanometres’ (one-billionth of a metre). Nanoparticles are nanosized particles that can assist the delivery of chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells. Scientists and Engineers can use simulations for selecting nanoparticles so drugs can more effectively reach the tumour while avoiding side effects. | |
| Nanoswarms | |
| Using simulations, scientists and engineers are working on adding swarm behaviour (present in social animals such as birds, ants, fish and termites) to nanoparticles and tiny robots (nanobots). Nanoswarms are multiple nanoparticles or nanobots that can interact with each other or their environment to achieve a task (e.g. deliver chemotherapy to a tumour without killing healthy cells), exhibiting collective behaviour inspired by swarm behaviour. | |
| SWARM study – aim & research question | |
| This project is investigating the ethics and regulations of the first in-human clinical trial of nanoswarms. We will be using interviews initially and focus groups in the next phase to explore the attitudes of stakeholders towards this swarm technology in healthcare, combined with ethical/legal analysis to consider how swarm medicine should be regulated in clinical trials. | |
| The aim is to explore how nanoswarm medicine should be regulated once this technology is available for first-in human clinical trials. | |
| Researchers | |
| This study is being organised by Matimba Swana, PhD student in the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems in Functionality Node and Academic Supervisors; Dr. Sabine Hauert, Reader (Associate Professor) in Swarm Engineering and Prof. Jonathan Ives, Professor of Empirical Bioethics & Deputy Director of Centre for Ethics in Medicine. | |
Would you like to participate? |
|
| If you are aged 18 or over, we would love to hear from you. For the interviews we are looking for oncology healthcare professionals or oncology patients or those working in drug delivery regulation or in nanomedicine research. You do not need to have any previous knowledge of nanoswarms to participate as we will show you case studies to introduce you to the technologies. | |
| Your contribution would be very helpful! For more details please contact Matimba Swana at matimba.swana@bristol.ac.uk OR complete this Expression of Interest form for interviews. | |
| We are still in the first phase of this study, so will not start interviews until later in the year, but please complete the Expression of Interest form for interviews and we will be in touch to schedule an interview. We will start recruiting for focus groups in early 2023. | |
Five fun facts |
|
|
|
| The SWARM study is part of a larger UKRI-funded PhD which is part of the Trustworthy Autonomous Systems Node in Functionality research programme, which is a multidisciplinary collaboration between ethicists, sociologists, computer scientists and engineers working together to produce guidelines for the development of trustworthy autonomous systems with evolving functionality. | |
Research Ethics Approval |
|
| This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Bristol Faculty of Engineering Research Ethics Committee (Ref: 11141). | |
| Find out more before participating from these PDFs: | |
| SWARM study summary | |
| SWARM flyer Interviews | |
| Participant Information Sheet for Interviews | |
| SWARM flyer focus groups | |
| Participant Information for Focus Groups (will be live once interviews are completed) | |
| Expression of Interest for Focus Groups (will be live once interviews are completed) |
News
Breakthrough for long Covid patients who lost sense of smell
A breakthrough nasal surgery has restored the sense of smell for a dozen long Covid patients. Experts at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust successfully employed a technique typically used for correcting blocked nasal passages, [...]
Scientists Invent Plastic That Can Dissolve In Seawater In Just A Few Hours
Plastic waste and pollution in the sea have been among the most serious environmental problems for decades, causing immense damage to marine life and ecosystems. However, a breakthrough discovery may offer a game-changing solution. [...]
Muscles from the 3D printer
Swiss researchers have developed a method for printing artificial muscles out of silicone. In the future, these could be used on both humans and robots. Swiss researchers have succeeded in printing artificial muscles out [...]
Beneficial genetic changes observed in regular blood donors
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified genetic changes in blood stem cells from frequent blood donors that support the production of new, non-cancerous cells. Understanding the differences in the mutations that accumulate [...]
Shocking Amounts of Microplastics in the Brain – It Could Be Increasing Our Risk of Dementia
The brain has higher concentrations of plastic particles compared to other organs, with increased levels found in dementia patients. In a comprehensive commentary published in Brain Medicine, researchers highlight alarming new evidence of microplastic accumulation [...]
Baffling Scientists for Centuries: New Study Unravels Mystery of Static Electricity
ISTA physicists demonstrate that contact electrification depends on the contact history of materials. For centuries, static electricity has intrigued and perplexed scientists. Now, researchers from the Waitukaitis group at the Institute of Science and [...]
Tumor “Stickiness” – Scientists Develop Potential New Way To Predict Cancer’s Spread
UC San Diego researchers have developed a device that predicts breast cancer aggressiveness by measuring tumor cell adhesion. Weakly adherent cells indicate a higher risk of metastasis, especially in early-stage DCIS. This innovation could [...]
Scientists Just Watched Atoms Move for the First Time Using AI
Scientists have developed a groundbreaking AI-driven technique that reveals the hidden movements of nanoparticles, essential in materials science, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. By integrating artificial intelligence with electron microscopy, researchers can now visualize atomic-level changes that were [...]
Scientists Sound Alarm: “Safe” Antibiotic Has Led to an Almost Untreatable Superbug
A recent study reveals that an antibiotic used for liver disease patients may increase their risk of contracting a dangerous superbug. An international team of researchers has discovered that rifaximin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic [...]
Scientists Discover Natural Compound That Stops Cancer Progression
A discovery led by OHSU was made possible by years of study conducted by University of Portland undergraduates. Scientists have discovered a natural compound that can halt a key process involved in the progression [...]
Scientists Just Discovered an RNA That Repairs DNA Damage – And It’s a Game-Changer
Our DNA is constantly under threat — from cell division errors to external factors like sunlight and smoking. Fortunately, cells have intricate repair mechanisms to counteract this damage. Scientists have uncovered a surprising role played by [...]
What Scientists Just Discovered About COVID-19’s Hidden Death Toll
COVID-19 didn’t just claim lives directly—it reshaped mortality patterns worldwide. A major international study found that life expectancy plummeted across most of the 24 analyzed countries, with additional deaths from cardiovascular disease, substance abuse, and mental [...]
Self-Propelled Nanoparticles Improve Immunotherapy for Non-Invasive Bladder Cancer
A study led by Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in South Korea details the creation of urea-powered nanomotors that enhance immunotherapy for bladder cancer. The nanomotors [...]
Scientists Develop New System That Produces Drinking Water From Thin Air
UT Austin researchers have developed a biodegradable, biomass-based hydrogel that efficiently extracts drinkable water from the air, offering a scalable, sustainable solution for water access in off-grid communities, emergency relief, and agriculture. Discarded food [...]
AI Unveils Hidden Nanoparticles – A Breakthrough in Early Disease Detection
Deep Nanometry (DNM) is an innovative technique combining high-speed optical detection with AI-driven noise reduction, allowing researchers to find rare nanoparticles like extracellular vesicles (EVs). Since EVs play a role in disease detection, DNM [...]
Inhalable nanoparticles could help treat chronic lung disease
Nanoparticles designed to release antibiotics deep inside the lungs reduced inflammation and improved lung function in mice with symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease By Grace Wade Delivering medication to the lungs with inhalable nanoparticles [...]
