Researchers at Tufts University and Harvard University’s Wyss Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of regenerative medicine. They have developed tiny biological robots, known as Anthrobots, using human tracheal cells. These Anthrobots have shown promising abilities to promote the growth of neurons and could potentially be used as therapeutic tools for healing and regeneration.
The development of Anthrobots builds upon previous research where multicellular biological robots, called Xenobots, were created using frog embryo cells. However, the Anthrobots, made from adult human cells without any genetic modification, have demonstrated capabilities beyond those of the Xenobots.
The researchers are now focused on understanding the rules governing cell assembly and how cells can be recombined to carry out different functions. They have observed that the Anthrobots are capable of creating new multicellular shapes and moving across the surface of human neurons. This movement encourages new growth to fill in gaps caused by damage.
While the exact mechanism behind Anthrobots’ ability to promote neuron growth remains unclear, it has been confirmed that neurons grow under the area covered by a clustered assembly of Anthrobots. This discovery opens up possibilities for using patient-derived biobots, created from their own cells, for therapeutic purposes. This minimizes the risk of immune response and increases the chances of successful healing.
It is important to note that Anthrobots have limitations outside laboratory conditions. They do not reproduce or have genetic edits, which reduces the risk of unintended spread or evolution beyond existing safeguards. Each Anthrobot starts as a single cell derived from an adult donor trachea cell and can vary in size from 30 to 500 micrometers, with different shapes and types of movement.
Looking ahead, the researchers envision a future where Anthrobots can be designed to respond to their environment, travel within the body, and perform various therapeutic functions. In lab tests, Anthrobots have already demonstrated their ability to help heal wounds by creating a bridge of neurons to fill a gap created by scratching a layer of human neurons.
The potential applications for Anthrobots are vast. The researchers believe that further development could lead to their use in clearing plaque buildup in arteries, repairing spinal cord or retinal nerve damage, recognizing bacteria or cancer cells, and delivering drugs to targeted tissues.
Furthermore, the study of cell assembly and the development of Anthrobots can provide valuable insights into how natural body plans assemble and how regenerative treatments can be developed to restore tissues, organs, and limbs. The possibilities for future advancements in regenerative medicine are truly exciting, and Anthrobots may play a significant role in reshaping the field.
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