Tufts

In a groundbreaking leap at the intersection of biology and robotics, scientists at Tufts University have unveiled a new class of tiny, self-assembling biological machines—Anthrobots—constructed entirely from human tracheal cells. These microscopic bots, no larger than the width of a human hair, not only move autonomously across surfaces but also demonstrate the remarkable ability to stimulate neural regeneration in damaged tissue.

From Airway Cells to Healing Bots

Anthrobots are derived from adult human tracheal cells—specifically, ciliated cells that naturally help clear debris from our airways. Under specific lab conditions, these cells spontaneously form spherical clusters, with the outward-facing cilia propelling them like microscopic oars. These self-assembling bots, varying in shape and movement styles, can survive for several weeks before biodegrading naturally, making them a promising and safe option for therapeutic applications.

Unlike previous biological robots, or Xenobots, which were crafted from frog embryo cells, Anthrobots require no genetic modification and are made entirely from adult human cells. This key difference could allow future Anthrobots to be patient-specific, minimizing the risk of immune rejection and eliminating the need for immunosuppressants.

Healing from the Ground Up

The true breakthrough came when researchers observed the Anthrobots in action on damaged human neurons cultured in a lab dish. When introduced to a scratch-induced wound in a neuron field, clusters of Anthrobots—dubbed “superbots”—triggered the regrowth of neural cells across the wound site. Areas without Anthrobots showed no such healing, pointing to the bots’ unique regenerative influence.

“We were astonished,” said Dr. Michael Levin, Vannevar Bush Professor of Biology at Tufts and co-leader of the research. “These were ordinary tracheal cells given the freedom to form new structures. Without any genetic tweaking, they not only moved, but encouraged neurons to regrow.”

The exact mechanisms behind this healing remain unclear, but the implications are massive. This early success hints at a future where Anthrobots might repair spinal cord injuries, reverse nerve damage in the eyes, or clear clogged arteries—tasks traditionally requiring invasive procedures or long-term treatment.

Biological Bricks with Dynamic Potential

Lead Ph.D. researcher Gizem Gumuskaya, who transitioned into biology from a background in architecture, likens Anthrobot construction to building with bricks—except the bricks are alive, intelligent, and responsive.

“Cells can form layers, sort themselves, move, and even communicate,” she explained. “We’re exploring how to harness these natural behaviors to build entirely new structures—new biological ‘body plans’—with programmable functions.”

Because of their scalable nature and ease of assembly, thousands of Anthrobots can be produced simultaneously. Unlike the earlier Xenobots, which required meticulous shaping with surgical tools, Anthrobots self-organize in culture dishes—an elegant nod to their biological origins.

Safe, Temporary, and Transformative

Crucially, Anthrobots are biodegradable and only viable under strict lab conditions, minimizing the risk of environmental release or uncontrolled spread. They don’t replicate, don’t carry genetic edits, and degrade within about 60 days, making them a safe experimental platform.

In future applications, researchers envision Anthrobots as versatile medical assistants—capable of carrying and releasing drugs, identifying pathogens, or building supportive scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Redesigning Biology, Rewriting Healing

At its core, this research isn’t just about creating futuristic bots—it’s about understanding life’s fundamental building rules. By reprogramming how cells interact, the team hopes to not only design new healing tools but also decode the mysteries of how our own bodies develop and repair.

“This is a starting point,” Levin noted. “We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible when we let cells show us what they can really do.”

With support from the John Templeton Foundation and Astonishing Labs, the Tufts team is blazing a trail toward a future where medicine isn’t just about pills or surgery—it’s about partnering with biology itself to restore, rebuild, and regenerate.

By: Vraj Parikh