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Yuan Z, Guo Q, Jin D, Zhang P, Yang W. Biohybrid Soft Robots Powered by Myocyte: Current Progress and Future Perspectives. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:1643. [PMID: 37630179 PMCID: PMC10456826 DOI: 10.3390/mi14081643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
Myocyte-driven robots, a type of biological actuator that combines myocytes with abiotic systems, have gained significant attention due to their high energy efficiency, sensitivity, biocompatibility, and self-healing capabilities. These robots have a unique advantage in simulating the structure and function of human tissues and organs. This review covers the research progress in this field, detailing the benefits of myocyte-driven robots over traditional methods, the materials used in their fabrication (including myocytes and extracellular materials), and their properties and manufacturing techniques. Additionally, the review explores various control methods, robot structures, and motion types. Lastly, the potential applications and key challenges faced by myocyte-driven robots are discussed and summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Yuan
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Y.); (Q.G.)
| | - Qinghao Guo
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Y.); (Q.G.)
| | - Delu Jin
- School of Human Ities and Social Science, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China;
| | - Peifan Zhang
- Control Science and Engineering, Naval Aviation University, Yantai 264001, China
| | - Wenguang Yang
- School of Electromechanical and Automotive Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China; (Z.Y.); (Q.G.)
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2
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Webster-Wood VA, Guix M, Xu NW, Behkam B, Sato H, Sarkar D, Sanchez S, Shimizu M, Parker KK. Biohybrid robots: recent progress, challenges, and perspectives. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2022; 18:015001. [PMID: 36265472 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac9c3b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The past ten years have seen the rapid expansion of the field of biohybrid robotics. By combining engineered, synthetic components with living biological materials, new robotics solutions have been developed that harness the adaptability of living muscles, the sensitivity of living sensory cells, and even the computational abilities of living neurons. Biohybrid robotics has taken the popular and scientific media by storm with advances in the field, moving biohybrid robotics out of science fiction and into real science and engineering. So how did we get here, and where should the field of biohybrid robotics go next? In this perspective, we first provide the historical context of crucial subareas of biohybrid robotics by reviewing the past 10+ years of advances in microorganism-bots and sperm-bots, cyborgs, and tissue-based robots. We then present critical challenges facing the field and provide our perspectives on the vital future steps toward creating autonomous living machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Webster-Wood
- Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering (by courtesy), McGowan Institute of Regenerative Medicine, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15116, United States of America
| | - Maria Guix
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri-Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Ciència dels Materials i Química Física, Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional Barcelona, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nicole W Xu
- Laboratories for Computational Physics and Fluid Dynamics, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6041, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Bahareh Behkam
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States of America
| | - Hirotaka Sato
- School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 65 Nanyang Drive, Singapore, 637460, Singapore
| | - Deblina Sarkar
- MIT Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Samuel Sanchez
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), Baldiri-Reixac 10-12, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Avda. Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Masahiro Shimizu
- Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering Science, Osaka University, 1-3 Machikaneyama-machi, Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kevin Kit Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
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3
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Collagen Alignment via Electro-Compaction for Biofabrication Applications: A Review. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14204270. [PMID: 36297848 PMCID: PMC9609630 DOI: 10.3390/polym14204270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most prevalent structural protein in the extracellular matrix, collagen has been extensively investigated for biofabrication-based applications. However, its utilisation has been impeded due to a lack of sufficient mechanical toughness and the inability of the scaffold to mimic complex natural tissues. The anisotropic alignment of collagen fibres has been proven to be an effective method to enhance its overall mechanical properties and produce biomimetic scaffolds. This review introduces the complicated scenario of collagen structure, fibril arrangement, type, function, and in addition, distribution within the body for the enhancement of collagen-based scaffolds. We describe and compare existing approaches for the alignment of collagen with a sharper focus on electro-compaction. Additionally, various effective processes to further enhance electro-compacted collagen, such as crosslinking, the addition of filler materials, and post-alignment fabrication techniques, are discussed. Finally, current challenges and future directions for the electro-compaction of collagen are presented, providing guidance for the further development of collagenous scaffolds for bioengineering and nanotechnology.
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4
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Filippi M, Buchner T, Yasa O, Weirich S, Katzschmann RK. Microfluidic Tissue Engineering and Bio-Actuation. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2022; 34:e2108427. [PMID: 35194852 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202108427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Bio-hybrid technologies aim to replicate the unique capabilities of biological systems that could surpass advanced artificial technologies. Soft bio-hybrid robots consist of synthetic and living materials and have the potential to self-assemble, regenerate, work autonomously, and interact safely with other species and the environment. Cells require a sufficient exchange of nutrients and gases, which is guaranteed by convection and diffusive transport through liquid media. The functional development and long-term survival of biological tissues in vitro can be improved by dynamic flow culture, but only microfluidic flow control can develop tissue with fine structuring and regulation at the microscale. Full control of tissue growth at the microscale will eventually lead to functional macroscale constructs, which are needed as the biological component of soft bio-hybrid technologies. This review summarizes recent progress in microfluidic techniques to engineer biological tissues, focusing on the use of muscle cells for robotic bio-actuation. Moreover, the instances in which bio-actuation technologies greatly benefit from fusion with microfluidics are highlighted, which include: the microfabrication of matrices, biomimicry of cell microenvironments, tissue maturation, perfusion, and vascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Filippi
- Soft Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Buchner
- Soft Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Oncay Yasa
- Soft Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Stefan Weirich
- Soft Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
| | - Robert K Katzschmann
- Soft Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Tannenstrasse 3, Zurich, 8092, Switzerland
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Xu NW, Townsend JP, Costello JH, Colin SP, Gemmell BJ, Dabiri JO. Developing Biohybrid Robotic Jellyfish ( Aurelia aurita) for Free-swimming Tests in the Laboratory and in the Field. Bio Protoc 2021; 11:e3974. [PMID: 33889668 PMCID: PMC8054175 DOI: 10.21769/bioprotoc.3974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Biohybrid robotics is a growing field that incorporates both live tissues and engineered materials to build robots that address current limitations in robots, including high power consumption and low damage tolerance. One approach is to use microelectronics to enhance whole organisms, which has previously been achieved to control the locomotion of insects. However, the robotic control of jellyfish swimming offers additional advantages, with the potential to become a new ocean monitoring tool in conjunction with existing technologies. Here, we delineate protocols to build a self-contained swim controller using commercially available microelectronics, embed the device into live jellyfish, and calculate vertical swimming speeds in both laboratory conditions and coastal waters. Using these methods, we previously demonstrated enhanced swimming speeds up to threefold, compared to natural jellyfish swimming, in laboratory and in situ experiments. These results offered insights into both designing low-power robots and probing the structure-function of basal organisms. Future iterations of these biohybrid robotic jellyfish could be used for practical applications in ocean monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole W. Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - James P. Townsend
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Providence College, Providence, RI, USA
| | - John H. Costello
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Providence College, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Sean P. Colin
- Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
- Department of Marine Biology and Environmental Science, Roger Williams University, Bristol, RI, USA
| | - Brad J. Gemmell
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - John O. Dabiri
- Graduate Aerospace Laboratories (GALCIT), California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
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Biomimetic corneal stroma using electro-compacted collagen. Acta Biomater 2020; 113:360-371. [PMID: 32652228 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Engineering substantia propria (or stroma of cornea) that mimics the function and anatomy of natural tissue is vital for in vitro modelling and in vivo regeneration. There are, however, few examples of bioengineered biomimetic corneal stroma. Here we describe the construction of an orthogonally oriented 3D corneal stroma model (3D-CSM) using pure electro-compacted collagen (EC). EC films comprise aligned collagen fibrils and support primary human corneal stromal cells (hCSCs). Cell-laden constructs are analogous to the anatomical structure of native human cornea. The hCSCs are guided by the topographical cues provided by the aligned collagen fibrils of the EC films. Importantly, the 3D-CSM are biodegradable, highly transparent, glucose-permeable and comprise quiescent hCSCs. Gene expression analysis indicated the presence of aligned collagen fibrils is strongly coupled to downregulation of active fibroblast/myofibroblast markers α-SMA and Thy-1, with a concomitant upregulation of the dormant keratocyte marker ALDH3. The 3D-CSM represents the first example of an optimally robust biomimetic engineered corneal stroma that is constructed from pure electro-compacted collagen for cell and tissue support. The 3D-CSM is a significant advance for synthetic corneal stroma engineering, with the potential to be used for full-thickness and functional cornea replacement, as well as informing in vivo tissue regeneration. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: This manuscript represents the first example of a robust, transparent, glucose permeable and pure collagen-based biomimetic 3D corneal stromal model (3D-CSM) constructed from pure electro-compacted collagen. The collagen fibrils of 3D-CSM are aligned and orthogonally arranged, mimicking native human corneal stroma. The alignment of collagen fibrils correlates with the direction of current applied for electro-compaction and influences human corneal stromal cell (hCSC) orientation. Moreover, 3D-CSM constructs support a corneal keratocyte phenotype; an essential requirement for modelling healthy corneal stroma. As-prepared 3D-CSM hold great promise as corneal stromal substitutes for research and translation, with the potential to be used for full-thickness cornea replacement.
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Xu NW, Dabiri JO. Low-power microelectronics embedded in live jellyfish enhance propulsion. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaaz3194. [PMID: 32064355 PMCID: PMC6989144 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz3194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Artificial control of animal locomotion has the potential to simultaneously address longstanding challenges to actuation, control, and power requirements in soft robotics. Robotic manipulation of locomotion can also address previously inaccessible questions about organismal biology otherwise limited to observations of naturally occurring behaviors. Here, we present a biohybrid robot that uses onboard microelectronics to induce swimming in live jellyfish. Measurements demonstrate that propulsion can be substantially enhanced by driving body contractions at an optimal frequency range faster than natural behavior. Swimming speed can be enhanced nearly threefold, with only a twofold increase in metabolic expenditure of the animal and 10 mW of external power input to the microelectronics. Thus, this biohybrid robot uses 10 to 1000 times less external power per mass than other aquatic robots reported in literature. This capability can expand the performance envelope of biohybrid robots relative to natural animals for applications such as ocean monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole W. Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - John O. Dabiri
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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8
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Sun L, Yu Y, Chen Z, Bian F, Ye F, Sun L, Zhao Y. Biohybrid robotics with living cell actuation. Chem Soc Rev 2020; 49:4043-4069. [DOI: 10.1039/d0cs00120a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
This review comprehensively discusses recent advances in the basic components, controlling methods and especially in the applications of biohybrid robots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyu Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
- The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
- 210008 Nanjing
- China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Yunru Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering
- Southeast University
- 210096 Nanjing
- China
| | - Zhuoyue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering
- Southeast University
- 210096 Nanjing
- China
| | - Feika Bian
- State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering
- Southeast University
- 210096 Nanjing
- China
| | - Fangfu Ye
- Wenzhou Institute
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences
- Wenzhou
- China
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics
| | - Lingyun Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
- The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
- 210008 Nanjing
- China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
| | - Yuanjin Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
- The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School
- 210008 Nanjing
- China
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology
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Appiah C, Arndt C, Siemsen K, Heitmann A, Staubitz A, Selhuber-Unkel C. Living Materials Herald a New Era in Soft Robotics. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1807747. [PMID: 31267628 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201807747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Living beings have an unsurpassed range of ways to manipulate objects and interact with them. They can make autonomous decisions and can heal themselves. So far, a conventional robot cannot mimic this complexity even remotely. Classical robots are often used to help with lifting and gripping and thus to alleviate the effects of menial tasks. Sensors can render robots responsive, and artificial intelligence aims at enabling autonomous responses. Inanimate soft robots are a step in this direction, but it will only be in combination with living systems that full complexity will be achievable. The field of biohybrid soft robotics provides entirely new concepts to address current challenges, for example the ability to self-heal, enable a soft touch, or to show situational versatility. Therefore, "living materials" are at the heart of this review. Similarly to biological taxonomy, there is a recent effort for taxonomy of biohybrid soft robotics. Here, an expansion is proposed to take into account not only function and origin of biohybrid soft robotic components, but also the materials. This materials taxonomy key demonstrates visually that materials science will drive the development of the field of soft biohybrid robotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clement Appiah
- Institute for Organic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 7, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
- MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Christine Arndt
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstr. 2, D-24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Katharina Siemsen
- Institute for Materials Science, University of Kiel, Kaiserstr. 2, D-24143, Kiel, Germany
| | - Anne Heitmann
- Institute for Organic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 7, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
- MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
| | - Anne Staubitz
- Institute for Organic and Analytical Chemistry, University of Bremen, Leobener Str. 7, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
- MAPEX Center for Materials and Processes, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, D-28359, Bremen, Germany
- Otto-Diels-Institute for Organic Chemistry, University of Kiel, Otto-Hahn-Platz 4, D-24118, Kiel, Germany
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10
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Barrett DJ, Linley MD, Best SM, Cameron RE. Fabrication of free standing collagen membranes by pulsed-electrophoretic deposition. Biofabrication 2019; 11:045017. [DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab331d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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11
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Sample M, Boulicault M, Allen C, Bashir R, Hyun I, Levis M, Lowenthal C, Mertz D, Montserrat N, Palmer MJ, Saha K, Zartman J. Multi-cellular engineered living systems: building a community around responsible research on emergence. Biofabrication 2019; 11:043001. [PMID: 31158828 PMCID: PMC7551891 DOI: 10.1088/1758-5090/ab268c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Ranging from miniaturized biological robots to organoids, multi-cellular engineered living systems (M-CELS) pose complex ethical and societal challenges. Some of these challenges, such as how to best distribute risks and benefits, are likely to arise in the development of any new technology. Other challenges arise specifically because of the particular characteristics of M-CELS. For example, as an engineered living system becomes increasingly complex, it may provoke societal debate about its moral considerability, perhaps necessitating protection from harm or recognition of positive moral and legal rights, particularly if derived from cells of human origin. The use of emergence-based principles in M-CELS development may also create unique challenges, making the technology difficult to fully control or predict in the laboratory as well as in applied medical or environmental settings. In response to these challenges, we argue that the M-CELS community has an obligation to systematically address the ethical and societal aspects of research and to seek input from and accountability to a broad range of stakeholders and publics. As a newly developing field, M-CELS has a significant opportunity to integrate ethically responsible norms and standards into its research and development practices from the start. With the aim of seizing this opportunity, we identify two general kinds of salient ethical issues arising from M-CELS research, and then present a set of commitments to and strategies for addressing these issues. If adopted, these commitments and strategies would help define M-CELS as not only an innovative field, but also as a model for responsible research and engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Sample
- Pragmatic Health Ethics Research Unit, Institut de recherches cliniques de Montreal and Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Canada
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12
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Ricotti L, Trimmer B, Feinberg AW, Raman R, Parker KK, Bashir R, Sitti M, Martel S, Dario P, Menciassi A. Biohybrid actuators for robotics: A review of devices actuated by living cells. Sci Robot 2017; 2:2/12/eaaq0495. [PMID: 33157905 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aaq0495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Actuation is essential for artificial machines to interact with their surrounding environment and to accomplish the functions for which they are designed. Over the past few decades, there has been considerable progress in developing new actuation technologies. However, controlled motion still represents a considerable bottleneck for many applications and hampers the development of advanced robots, especially at small length scales. Nature has solved this problem using molecular motors that, through living cells, are assembled into multiscale ensembles with integrated control systems. These systems can scale force production from piconewtons up to kilonewtons. By leveraging the performance of living cells and tissues and directly interfacing them with artificial components, it should be possible to exploit the intricacy and metabolic efficiency of biological actuation within artificial machines. We provide a survey of important advances in this biohybrid actuation paradigm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ricotti
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Barry Trimmer
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02153, USA
| | - Adam W Feinberg
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Ritu Raman
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kevin K Parker
- Disease Biophysics Group, Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Rashid Bashir
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Metin Sitti
- Max-Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sylvain Martel
- NanoRobotics Laboratory, Department of Computer and Software Engineering, Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Paolo Dario
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
| | - Arianna Menciassi
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
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13
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Webster-Wood VA, Akkus O, Gurkan UA, Chiel HJ, Quinn RD. Organismal Engineering: Towards a Robotic Taxonomic Key for Devices Using Organic Materials. Sci Robot 2017; 2:eaap9281. [PMID: 31360812 PMCID: PMC6663099 DOI: 10.1126/scirobotics.aap9281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Can we create robots with the behavioral flexibility and robustness of animals? Engineers often use bio-inspiration to mimic animals. Recent advances in tissue engineering now allow the use of components from animals. By integrating organic and synthetic components, researchers are moving towards the development of engineered organisms whose structural framework, actuation, sensing, and control are partially or completely organic. This review discusses recent exciting work demonstrating how organic components can be used for all facets of robot development. Based on this analysis, we propose a Robotic Taxonomic Key to guide the field towards a unified lexicon for device description.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ozan Akkus
- Dept. of Mech. and Aero. Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Umut A. Gurkan
- Dept. of Mech. and Aero. Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Hillel J. Chiel
- Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Dept. of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Roger D. Quinn
- Dept. of Mech. and Aero. Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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14
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Ricotti L, Fujie T. Thin polymeric films for building biohybrid microrobots. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2017; 12:021001. [PMID: 28263945 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/aa5e5f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This paper aims to describe the disruptive potential that polymeric thin films have in the field of biohybrid devices and to review the recent efforts in this area. Thin (thickness < 1 mm) and ultra-thin (thickness < 1 µm) matrices possess a series of intriguing features, such as large surface area/volume ratio, high flexibility, chemical and physical surface tailorability, etc. This enables the fabrication of advanced bio/non-bio interfaces able to efficiently drive cell-material interactions, which are the key for optimizing biohybrid device performances. Thin films can thus represent suitable platforms on which living and artificial elements are coupled, with the aim of exploiting the unique features of living cells/tissues. This may allow to carry out certain tasks, not achievable with fully artificial technologies. In the paper, after a description of the desirable chemical/physical cues to be targeted and of the fabrication, functionalization and characterization procedures to be used for thin and ultra-thin films, the state-of-the-art of biohybrid microrobots based on micro/nano-membranes are described and discussed. The research efforts in this field are rather recent and they focus on: (1) self-beating cells (such as cardiomyocytes) able to induce a relatively large deformation of the underlying substrates, but affected by a limited controllability by external users; (2) skeletal muscle cells, more difficult to engineer in mature and functional contractile tissues, but featured by a higher controllability. In this context, the different materials used and the performances achieved are analyzed. Despite recent interesting advancements and signs of maturity of this research field, important scientific and technological steps are still needed. In the paper some possible future perspectives are described, mainly concerning thin film manipulation and assembly in multilayer 3D systems, new advanced materials to be used for the fabrication of thin films, cell engineering opportunities and modelling/computational efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Ricotti
- The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera (Pisa), Italy
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Webster VA, Young FR, Patel JM, Scariano GN, Akkus O, Gurkan UA, Chiel HJ, Quinn RD. 3D-Printed Biohybrid Robots Powered by Neuromuscular Tissue Circuits from Aplysia californica. BIOMIMETIC AND BIOHYBRID SYSTEMS 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63537-8_40] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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