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In situ mechanostimulation of biohybrid millirobots for enhanced cell functionality and delivery
Jianhua Zhang1,2,3, Xianqiang Bao2,4, Zhou Zhu5
1State Key Laboratory of Fluid Power and Mechatronic Systems & Liangzhu Laboratory, School of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Science Advances
|January 2, 2026
Summary
Researchers developed perforated soft millirobots for cell therapy. These robots enhance cell function through mechanical stimulation and deliver cells to targeted areas, showing promise for future regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Mechanobiology
Background:
- Soft milliorobots offer potential for targeted therapies.
- Cellular function can be modulated by mechanical stimuli.
- Precise cell delivery is crucial for regenerative medicine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a soft millirobot capable of in situ mechanostimulation and cell delivery.
- To evaluate the biocompatibility and efficacy of the millirobots in vitro and in vivo.
- To demonstrate targeted delivery of cell-laden millirobots using a robotic platform.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of perforated, protein-modified, silica-coated soft millirobots.
- Application of in situ mechanostimulation on 2D cell sheets, 3D hydrogels, and ex vivo tissues.
- Development of a magnetic actuation and ultrasound imaging platform for robotic control.
- In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility and cell function assessment.
Main Results:
- Millirobots demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, promoting cell adhesion and tissue ingrowth.
- Mechanostimulation enhanced muscle cell orientation, contraction, and differentiation.
- Targeted delivery of 2D and 3D cell-laden millirobots was achieved in an ex vivo liver model.
- The integrated robotic platform successfully guided millirobots to narrow regions.
Conclusions:
- Perforated soft millirobots are effective for in situ mechanostimulation and cell delivery.
- These millirobots show significant potential for advancing mechanobiology research and cell-based therapies.
- The integrated robotic system enables precise delivery for future clinical applications.
