Researchers from the Harvard University have created a living ‘robofish‘ that’s built from human cardiac cells and swims just like a fish could pave the way for artificial hearts.
How the robofish biohybrid created?
- This ‘biohybrid’, composed of both biological and non-biological components, recreates muscle contractions of a pumping human heart to push its tail fin side to side.
- The research team built their biohybrid fish from cardiomyocytes – the cells responsible for generating contractile force in the heart – derived from human stem cells.
- Under half an inch long, it’s made of plastic fins and a paper spine, but on either side are two strips of living heart cardiac muscle cells that perform these contractions.
- The device was inspired by the shape and swimming motion of a zebrafish. Aside from its applications in the field of robotics, the researchers believe their creation marks a step toward building an artificial heart to replace a malformed heart in a child.
What are Stem Cells?
- Stem cells are special human cells that have the ability to develop into many different cell types, from muscle cells to brain cells.
- In some cases, they are also capable to repair damaged tissues.
- Stem cells are divided into two main types – embryonic stem cells and adult stem cells.
- Embryonic stem cells can become all cell types of the body because they are pluripotent – they can give rise to many different cell types.
- Adult stem cells are found in most adult tissues, such as bone marrow or fat but have a more limited ability to give rise to various cells of the body.
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