ABSTRACT
This chapter presents some of the most representative advances of the use of nanomotors for biomolecule and cell detection. Proteins are probably the most important biomolecules for life. The development of tiny nanomotors able to precisely perform complex surgical operations inside a patient, to administrate drugs directly in the diseased tissue, or to analyze the number of pathogenic agents with astonishing accuracy is no longer a science fiction tale. Nanomotors powered by chemical reactions usually create reagents/products or electrical gradients which propel the systems by self-diffusiophoresis or self-electrophoresis mechanisms or produce oxygen bubbles which propel the nanodevice in a similar way to a conventional rocket. Micromotors can also be employed for pollutant removals instead of only as sensors. The main advantage of the use of nanomotors for biomolecules or cell detection is their capacity to perform the detection, capture, and transportation process by themselves, without the necessity of carrying out any purification steps.
