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Science and Technology

Imagine tiny robots smaller than a human hair that can move inside your body and help repair damaged areas. Well, this might become a reality in the near future! Scientists from Tufts and Harvard Universities in the United States have conducted laboratory experiments and shown that it is possible to create these small robots using human cells isolated from the trachea.

What Makes These Robots Special?

Scientists have been working on creating biological robots that can perform tasks inside the body for a while now. What sets the robots developed by scientists at Tufts and Harvard apart is that they used human cells to make them. Previous ideas focused on creating biological robots called Xenobots, which were derived from stem cells taken from frog embryos.

The Xenobots were considered a breakthrough in biotechnology. The goal was to explore how living cells could perform specific tasks like delivering targeted drugs. However, the main challenge was that these biological robots couldn't move effectively. The new innovation by the research team at Tufts University overcomes this challenge by creating robots from adult human cells without any genetic modifications.

How Are These Robots Made?

The researchers started by obtaining a single cell from the surface of the human trachea. They then followed a series of steps to manufacture these new robots, which they named "Anthrobots." The process includes:

1. Cell Sources

The scientists collected cells from the surface of the trachea.

2. Cell Culture and Expansion

The cells were grown in a controlled laboratory environment, allowing them to replicate and create a larger population of cells.

3. Cell Programming and Manipulation

The researchers treated these cells using different techniques, without making any genetic modifications.

4. Assembly and Organization

The cells were organized into desired structures or shapes using molds or specialized techniques to encourage them to stick together and form the intended structure.

5. Development and Functional Testing

Once the structure was formed, the biorobots were tested for functionality. This involved assessing their ability to perform tasks, exhibit desired behaviors like movement and interaction with cells or other materials, and even their healing capabilities.

6. Application and Testing

Finally, these biobots were tested in various applications, both in controlled laboratory experiments and in vivo to evaluate their effectiveness in real-world scenarios.

Promising Therapeutic Possibilities

According to a report from Tufts University, the researchers tested the robots' ability to heal by creating artificial wounds in layers of human nerve cells grown in the laboratory. When the robots focused on these "wounds," they stimulated significant regrowth of nerve cells, indicating the potential for effective healing.

The research team envisions various applications for these robots, such as treating arterial plaque buildup, repairing nerve damage, detecting pathogens or cancer cells, and delivering targeted drugs. These robots could help heal tissues and deliver regenerative medicines.

Another advantage is that these biological robots typically work efficiently for around 45 to 60 days before naturally decomposing.

Advantages and Questions

Nagwa Al-Badri, a professor and founding head of the Biomedical Sciences Program at Zewail City of Science, Technology, and Innovation in Egypt, believes that this idea shows promise and could soon enter clinical trials. She highlights three important advantages:

1. Patient-Specific Cells

The cells used to manufacture these robots can be obtained from the patient themselves, avoiding the problem of immune system rejection that occurs when transplanting foreign organs.

2. Natural and Safe Cells

The cells used are not genetically engineered and organize themselves naturally, ensuring a high level of safety and security.

3. Easy Cell Collection

The cells from the trachea used in the study can be obtained without any surgical interventions. They also have "cilia" that aid in movement, and the researchers have found a method to enhance the collective movement of these cells.

However, there are still two important questions that need to be answered before these robots can be used in clinical trials:

1. Mechanism of Neural Growth

How do Anthrobots stimulate the growth of nerve cells? Understanding this mechanism could lead to insights into cell-cell interactions and tissue regeneration, potentially leading to the development of neural repair treatments.

2. Long-Term Safety and Effectiveness

Although the robots show promise, their long-term effects and potential risks when used inside the human body need to be studied. In the laboratory, they can work efficiently for a period of 45 to 60 days before naturally decomposing. The question is whether they will remain functional for the same duration inside the human body.

Source: Al Jazeera + websites

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