Out of the Petri Dish: Bio-hybrid Robots Operative in Cell-Extreme Conditions

Can Bio-hybrid Robots Survive Out of the Lab Space?

Bio-hybrid Robots are limited in their functionality by the environmental conditions that needs to be optimal for cell survival and functionality. We need to develop self-sustaining robotic systems, in which mammalian muscle cells can survive and function outside controlled lab conditions. Cells that provide actuation in bio-hybrid robots are highly sensitive to environmental fluctuations, such as temperature changes.

Our Idea

In collaboration with the Soft Materials Lab at the EPFL, the Bio-hybrid Team at the Soft Robotics Lab aims to integrate advanced closed-loop temperature control systems in bio-actuators to allow for their survival and operation out of optimal temperature ranges. We incorporate temperature-responsive materials within the robot’s structural design to monitor and adjust the microenvironment, creating an adaptable, stable thermal environment. As essential for maintaining cell viability, our thermal regulation approach is expected to enable bio-hybrid robots to operate for extended periods without reliance on traditional lab incubators. We leverage control circuit engineering to establish robust feedback loops, specifically tuned to respond to temperature shifts that could affect cell metabolism and function. In the future, we hope to extend our control strategy beyond controlling the temperature to integrate nutrient reservoirs and enable more comprehensive regulation of the bio-hybrid environment.

Impact

Our research will impact all-onboard evolution of bio-hybrid robotic designs and it will influence the way we apply principles of bioreactor engineering, especially in regards of miniaturization. Our research promises mammalian cell-powered robots that operate outside of controlled laboratory environments, marking significant progress in bio-hybrid robotics and potential applications in real-world, dynamic environments.

Authors Involved

Miriam Filippi

Robert Katzschmann