Living tissue could fuel robots that grow, heal and move like humans

A Harvard Medical School-led study, headed by Dr. Su Ryon Shin, is pioneering the development of biohybrid robots that integrate living muscle cells with synthetic structures to create machines capable of human-like movement, growth, and healing. This emerging field, known as biohybrid robotics, aims to replace traditional mechanical components like gears and motors with living tissues—specifically skeletal muscle, which contracts in response to electrical signals, and cardiac muscle, which beats autonomously. The main challenge lies in sustaining these delicate muscle tissues outside the human body, requiring precise environmental conditions, nutrients, and oxygen. To address these challenges, the researchers employ advanced fabrication techniques such as 3D bioprinting, electrospinning, microfluidics, and self-assembly to arrange and nurture muscle cells within engineered scaffolds. These methods enable muscle cells to align and contract synchronously, forming functional actuators. Additionally, strategies like multi-material printing, perfusable scaffolds for nutrient delivery, and modular designs are