Pioneering Living Robots Crafted from Human Cells Amaze Researchers

In a groundbreaking study, scientists from Tufts University and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute have engineered tiny living robots using human cells, with potential applications in wound healing and tissue repair. Referred to as "anthrobots," these creations are a progression from the earlier work that produced the first living robots, known as xenobots, derived from stem cells of the African clawed frog.

Lead study author Michael Levin, the Vannevar Bush professor of biology at Tufts’ School of Arts & Sciences, emphasized the universality of the findings. The researchers utilized adult human cells from the trachea, specifically focusing on cells with cilia, hairlike projections capable of motion. This choice was influenced by the accessibility of tracheal cells, advancements in Covid-19 and lung disease research, and the belief that these cells could exhibit movement.

Gizem Gumuskaya, a doctoral student at Tufts and coauthor of the study, played a crucial role in experimenting with the chemical composition of the tracheal cells to induce motion. The resulting anthrobots, which self-assembled from a single cell, exhibited diverse shapes, sizes, and movements. Some were spherical with complete cilia coverage, while others resembled football shapes with irregular cilia distribution. These anthrobots showcased different motion patterns, including straight lines, tight circles, and wiggling.

The unique aspect of these anthrobots lies in their self-assembly, setting them apart from previous biological robots constructed manually with molds and seeded cells. The anthrobots survived up to 60 days in laboratory conditions, displaying their viability.

While still in the early stages of experimentation, the researchers explored potential medical applications by examining the anthrobots' interaction with human neurons in a damaged state. Surprisingly, the anthrobots encouraged growth toward the damaged neurons, hinting at a possible healing mechanism that requires further investigation.

Falk Tauber, a group leader at the University of Freiburg, Germany, not involved in the study, commended the research as a baseline for future bio-bot functionalities. He noted the anthrobots' unexpected behavior, especially their ability to move across and close scratches in human neurons.

Addressing ethical concerns, Levin assured that anthrobots do not pose risks. They are not derived from human embryos or genetically modified and have a limited, controlled lifespan within specific environments, ensuring they seamlessly biodegrade after a few weeks. The study, published in the journal Advanced Science, opens avenues for diverse applications, both in laboratories and potentially within the human body.