Pelin Erkoc

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Bahçeşehir University

Papers

Total Citations

230

H-Index

About

Pelin Erkoc pioneers the frontier of biohybrid microrobotics and magneto-responsive materials for biomedical applications. Her landmark 2018 work, "Microrobotics and Microorganisms," with over 205 citations, introduced a revolutionary concept: integrating living microorganisms with artificial carriers to create autonomous cellular robots. This breakthrough enables unprecedented miniaturization of devices with onboard actuation, sensing, and control—capable of performing complex tasks like manipulation, cargo delivery, and targeted therapy. Erkoc further advanced the field by developing photocurable 3D printing inks based on pentaerythritol triacrylate, enabling rapid fabrication of magneto-responsive structures for soft robotics. Her 2021 synthesis of magneto-responsive microswimmers demonstrates practical actuation systems for untethered medical devices, pushing toward real-world clinical applications. By merging biology with engineering, Erkoc's work has fundamentally reshaped how researchers approach microscale robotics, offering transformative potential for targeted drug delivery and minimally invasive surgery. Her interdisciplinary approach continues to inspire new generations of bioengineers and roboticists.