Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella and Motility in Bacteria

Flagella are specialized, thread-like structures that extend from a bacteria's cell envelope. They play a crucial role in motility and chemotaxis. Their structural organization and functioning exemplify sophisticated biological engineering, enabling bacterial survival and adaptability in diverse environments.Structure of the FlagellumA bacterial flagellum consists of three key components: the filament, the hook, and basal body. The filament, a long, helical structure composed of repeating...

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules in Cell Motility

Microtubules are thick hollow cylindrical proteins that help form the cytoskeleton. Microtubules have varied roles in the cell. These filaments help form cellular appendages like cilia and flagella, which are responsible for locomotion. The cilia arise from basal bodies, separated from the main body by a membrane-like structure forming the transition zone. This zone is the gate for the entry of lipids and proteins, creating a unique composition of lipids and proteins in the ciliary membrane and...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Fixed-Charge Interphase Synchronizes Ion Transport to Suppress Space-Charge-Driven Inefficiency Under Nanoliter Confinement.

Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)·2026

Same author

Nanomotor-Assisted Intravesical Chemotherapy for Bladder Tumor Reduction and Suppression of Early Tumor Regrowth.

Nano letters·2026

Same author

Thin-Film-Engineered Self-Assembly of 3D Coaxial Microfluidics with a Tunable Polyimide Membrane for Bioelectronic Power.

Nano-micro letters·2026

Same author

A bioinspired microdevice unifying energy storage and actuation through hydration control.

Nature communications·2026

Same author

Converging paths for microscale energy storage and sensing.

National science review·2025

Same author

"Effectiveness and associated factors of response to Fampridine in multiple sclerosis: A prospective observational study from an expert center".

Multiple sclerosis and related disorders·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

Development of a sperm-flagella driven micro-bio-robot.

Veronika Magdanz¹, Samuel Sanchez, Oliver G Schmidt

¹Institute for Integrative Nanosciences, IFW Dresden, Helmholtzstraße 20, 01069, Dresden, Germany.

Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)

|September 3, 2013

Summary

Researchers developed a new biohybrid micro-robot using bovine sperm cells as a biological power source. These magnetically controlled microrobots show potential for future microrobotic applications.

Keywords:

magnetic control micro-bio-robot microtube motile cell sperm flagella

More Related Videos

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Published on: February 28, 2020

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Published on: May 9, 2017

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Biophysical Characterization of Flagellar Motor Functions

Published on: January 18, 2017

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes

Published on: February 28, 2020

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Cardiac Muscle Cell-based Actuator and Self-stabilizing Biorobot - Part 2

Published on: May 9, 2017

Area of Science:

Biomedical Engineering
Robotics
Biotechnology

Background:

Microrobots offer potential for targeted delivery and manipulation in microscale environments.
Developing autonomous or remotely controlled micro-devices is a key challenge in micro-robotics.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel biohybrid micro-robot powered by biological cells.
To investigate the remote control capabilities of these micro-robots using magnetic fields.
To analyze the performance of the micro-robots based on various physical parameters.

Main Methods:

Bovine sperm cells were encapsulated within magnetic microtubes.
The motility of sperm cells was utilized as the primary driving force for the micro-robot.
An external magnetic field was employed for remote control and steering.
Micro-robot performance was evaluated concerning tube radius, cell penetration, and temperature.

Main Results:

A functional biohybrid micro-robot was successfully created using sperm cells as a biological engine.
Remote control of the micro-robots was achieved via an external magnetic field.
The performance metrics, including speed and maneuverability, were quantified and correlated with design parameters and environmental conditions.

Conclusions:

The integration of biological power sources with microdevices presents a promising avenue for advanced microrobotic systems.
This biohybrid approach offers a unique solution for creating controllable micro-robots with potential applications in various scientific fields.
Further research into optimizing biohybrid micro-robot design and control is warranted for future technological advancements.