A study published Nov. 30 in the journal Advanced Science shows that scientists at Tufts University in the United States and a team of researchers from Harvard University have developed a new type of "miniature human cell robot" using human cells. Unlike robots powered by electricity, "human cell robots" are made up of human cells, with a diameter of about 30 to 500 microns, and may be able to help the damaged tissues of the human body in the future.
It is reported that as early as 2020, scientists from Tufts University and the University of Vermont used stem cells extracted from the embryos of African clawed frogs to create the first batch of "living robots" called Xenobots, which can be used to take microplastics from the ocean or attack cancer cells. According to the report, the research and development of the "micro human cell robot" is based on Xenobots. According to Levine, the author of the study and a professor of biology at Tufts University, both the cells of the clawed frog and the cells of the human body are essentially the cells of living beings, "Organisms are universal, but we are not aware of all the capabilities of the cells of the human body." ”
Use human tracheal cells
Every robot is unique
It is reported that scientists have used live tracheal cells donated from different ages and genders. Gumskaya, who was involved in the study, explained that tracheal cells were chosen because they were relatively easy to obtain and could help with lung diseases. More importantly, scientists believe that tracheal cells have the ability to move. Early studies have also shown that tracheal cells can form organoids for study.
Gumskaya data map.
Tracheal cells are covered with a layer of cilia that can ripple back and forth to help tracheal cells enter the airways of the lungs. Gumskaya said that in the course of the experiment, she first studied the chemical composition of the growth conditions of tracheal cells and found a way to turn the cilia outward. "Cilia act like a paddle. After a few days, the cilia allow the organoids to begin to move. She explained.
According to Levin, each miniature human cell robot grows from a single cell, which also means that each miniature human cell robot is unique, with different sizes or shapes and slightly different ways of moving. It is reported that some of these robots are completely covered with cilia, and some are irregularly covered with cilia. From the point of view of movement mode, some robots move in a straight line, while others move in circles. However, all of these robots survived in a laboratory environment for 60 days.
It can promote the growth of damaged nerve cells
Researcher: There will be no safety and ethical issues
Levin and Gumskaya said the research is still in its early stages, and the goal of the research is to explore whether the robot can be used in the medical field. To achieve this goal, the researchers moved the robots in a petri dish containing scratched nerve cells, and were surprised to find that the robots actually promoted the growth of damaged nerve cells as they passed through them. However, the researchers admit that it is not clear why this is happening.
The robot (green) promotes the growth of damaged nerve cells as it passes through damaged nerve cells (red).
Falke Tauber, who specializes in biology and materials at the University of Freiburg in Germany, was not involved in the study, but he said that "the robots have amazing performance". According to Tauber, the research provides a basis for the future use of biological robots for different functions, and these robots are likely to be used in the human world in the future.
Regarding the safety and ethics of these robots, Levine said that these robots do not pose any safety and ethical issues. "These robots are not made from human embryos, and there is no genetic modification of any kind. Levine added that these robots also have a very limited living environment, and they cannot survive outside of a specific environment. In addition, these robots also have a natural lifespan and generally degrade on their own after a few weeks.
Red Star News reporter Li Jinrui.