News / Science News

    Researchers build microscopic biohybrid robots propelled by muscles, nerves

    Researchers have developed soft robotic devices driven by neuromuscular tissue that triggers when stimulated by light -- bringing scientists one step closer to autonomous biobots.



    Artist's rendering of a new generation of biobots. Photo: Graphic courtesy Michael Vincent


    Teams led by Taher Saif and Rashid Bashir at the University of Illinois worked together to develop the first self-propelled biohybrid swimming and walking biobots powered by beating cardiac muscle cells derived from rats.

    "Our first study successfully demonstrated that the bots, modeled after sperm cells, could in fact swim," Saif said. "That generation of singled-tailed bots used cardiac tissue that beats on its own, but they could not sense the environment nor make any decisions."

    In a new study, the researchers reveal a new generation of two-tailed bots powered by skeletal muscle tissue stimulated by on-board motor neurons. The neurons have optogenetic properties. Upon exposure to light, the neurons fire to activate the muscles.

    After confirming that the neuromuscular tissue was compatible with their synthetic biobot skeletons, the teams worked to optimize the swimmers' abilities.

    Saif said that the teams envision the advance leading to the development of multicellular engineered living systems with the ability to respond intelligently to environmental cues. Applications will be in bioengineering, medicine and self-healing materials technologies, the scientists said.

    However, they acknowledge that -- like living organisms -- no two biohybrid machines will be the same. "Two machines designed to perform the same function will not be the same," Saif said. "One may move faster or heal from damage differently than the other -- a unique attribute of living machines." (National Science Foundation)

    SEPTEMBER 20, 2019



    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

    Once dismissed as ‘junk DNA’ that served no purpose, a family of ‘jumping genes’ found in tomatoes has the potential to accelerate crop breeding for traits such as improved drought resistance.
    Deafness in early childhood is known to lead to lasting changes in how sounds are processed in the brain, but new research shows that even mild-to-moderate levels of hearing loss in young children can lead to similar changes.
    Researchers have successfully used sound waves to control quantum information in a single electron, a significant step towards efficient, robust quantum computers made from semiconductors.
    A promising replacement for the toxic and flammable greenhouse gases that are used in most refrigerators and air conditioners has been identified by researchers from the University of Cambridge.
    Astronomers have spotted three giant black holes within a titanic collision of three galaxies.
    NIH mouse study could prompt scientists to rethink how benzodiazepines work.

    © 1991-2023 The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin | Titi Tudorancea® is a Registered Trademark | Terms of use and privacy policy
    Contact