NEWS  Science  December 4, 2023  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

In a groundbreaking collaboration between Tufts University and Harvard University, a team of scientists has engineered minuscule "anthrobots" constructed entirely from human cells, revolutionizing the realm of cellular repair. These innovative anthrobots, crafted from tracheal human cells assembled into organoids, showcased remarkable capabilities.

Diverging in form and movement, anthrobots exhibited diversity. Some assumed a spherical shape entirely adorned with cilia, while others took on a football-like appearance irregularly adorned with hairlike projections. Their modes of mobility ranged from traversing straight lines to executing tight circles, and intriguingly, some opted for a more stationary existence, engaging in subtle undulations. Astonishingly, these anthrobots demonstrated a survival span of up to 60 days within controlled laboratory environments.

Venturing into uncharted territory, scientists delved into the potential medical applications of these anthrobots, sparking unforeseen revelations. Surprisingly, the anthrobots showcased a capacity to aid in the repair of damaged human cells during experimental trials. Though in its nascent stages, the study's primary objective is to unravel the medical potential of these anthrobots.

Study co-authors Michael Levin, Vannevar Bush professor of biology at Tufts' School of Arts & Sciences, and Gizem Gumuskaya, a doctoral student at Tufts, emphasized the early nature of the experiments. The researchers explored whether the anthrobots could navigate across lab-grown human neurons subjected to simulated damage.

To their astonishment, the anthrobots not only traversed the neurons but also spurred growth toward the impaired regions. Despite this breakthrough, the study underscores the enigma surrounding the healing mechanisms employed by these anthrobots, leaving researchers eager to unravel the intricacies of this transformative cellular therapy.