“Scientists engineer anthrobots from human cells, potential for healing, diverse applications explored.”
In a recent study, scientists at Tufts University and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute have engineered miniature living robots, termed anthrobots, using human cells. These creations aim to potentially aid in healing wounds and repairing damaged tissues. Contrary to their previous work with xenobots from frog embryos, these anthrobots were developed from adult human tracheal cells, showcasing a broader capacity in living organisms beyond embryonic features.
Professor Michael Levin emphasized that these anthrobots, though displaying mobility, lacked a complete life cycle, challenging conventional classifications of robots, animals, and machines. The study, published in Advanced Science, utilized tracheal cells known for their cilia, microscopic projections capable of motion, usually aiding in clearing air passages.
Doctoral student Gizem Gumuskaya manipulated the growth conditions of these cells, enabling the cilia to face outward on the organoids, resulting in mobility akin to oars. Unlike previous biological robot models, these anthrobots self-assembled from a single cell, displaying diverse shapes, movements, and survival periods up to 60 days.
The study explored potential medical applications, discovering the anthrobots’ ability to guide growth toward damaged human neurons in laboratory conditions. While the healing mechanism remains unclear, researchers believe these anthrobots might have therapeutic potential.
Falk Tauber, a group leader at the University of Freiburg, praised the study’s groundwork, highlighting the unexpected behavior of anthrobots in facilitating closure of neuronal scratches. He noted the possibility of diverse applications, especially with the prospect of utilizing a patient’s cells for varied purposes.
Professor Levin emphasized the absence of ethical or safety concerns regarding these anthrobots, clarifying their limited lifespan within a controlled environment, ensuring they cannot exist beyond specific lab conditions and biodegrade naturally after several weeks.
