Anthrobots: Human-Cell Robots That Build Bridges and Heal

A pioneering study has revealed a new class of biological robots, dubbed “anthrobots,” created from adult human cells. These living constructs demonstrate remarkable capabilities, including movement, self-assembly, and a surprising potential to aid in neural healing. This innovation represents a fusion of architecture-inspired design thinking and cellular biology, pointing toward a future where living systems serve as dynamic tools for scientific and medical advancement.

The work was spearheaded by synthetic biologist Gizem Gumuskaya, who drew on her childhood fascination with architecture in the crowded cityscapes of Turkey. As she observed how buildings and infrastructure emerged from apparent urban chaos, she began to see parallels in biology — where intricate, functional systems develop from a single cell. This realization led her to explore the idea of biology not just as a subject to be studied, but as a medium to be designed.

Seeking to merge her passion for design and biology, Gumuskaya joined the lab of Michael Levin at Tufts University, known for previous work on living robots created using frog embryonic cells. These earlier creations, known as xenobots, could swim and even replicate under certain conditions. However, Gumuskaya was curious about expanding this concept beyond amphibians. “I wanted to build something that evolution didn’t already design for us,” she explained.

Instead of using embryonic cells, she turned to adult human tracheal cells — a more complex and less plastic material. Remarkably, these cells demonstrated a surprising level of adaptability. Under the right conditions, they self-organized into tiny, ciliated spheres capable of propelling themselves through fluid environments. Gumuskaya termed these new creations “anthrobots.”

What began as an experiment in movement soon revealed deeper potential. The anthrobots not only moved autonomously but also spontaneously merged into larger clusters, forming structures she referred to as “superbots.” These larger units exhibited a form of collective behavior reminiscent of social insects.

The most striking discovery came when the team observed how these superbots interacted with other types of cells. In experiments involving damaged human neurons, images showed the anthrobots forming a structure that bridged across the injury site. This formation resembled the natural bridges formed by ants — a concept Gumuskaya recalled from her architectural studies. In ant colonies, individuals link together to form temporary bridges, allowing others to pass — a behavior that turns the colony into a kind of superorganism. Similarly, the superbots appeared to work as a unified entity to support neural repair.

Although the exact biological mechanisms behind this bridging behavior are still unclear, the implications are promising. The ability of these living machines to self-organize, respond to their environment, and assist in cellular repair suggests a range of future medical applications, from tissue regeneration to targeted healing.

“Anthrobots are just one example of what we can accomplish by thinking about nature as a design medium,” Gumuskaya noted. “I hope the scientific community will look at cells through this lens and imagine how to create other machines.”

This novel convergence of engineering, biology, and architecture may redefine how we approach both medicine and machine design, offering a glimpse into a future where living systems become tools as well as subjects of research.

Source: https://www.the-scientist.com/building-living-bridges-with-anthrobots-71990

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong