Phototactic guidance of a tissue-engineered soft-robotic ray

Sung‐Jin Park(Harvard University), Sung‐Jin Park(Harvard University), Mattia Gazzola(Harvard University), Kyong Soo Park(Sogang University), Shirley Park(Harvard University), Shirley Park(Harvard University), Valentina Di Santo(Harvard University), Erin L. Blevins(Harvard University), Johan Lind(Harvard University), Patrick Campbell(Harvard University), Stephanie Dauth(Harvard University), Andrew K. Capulli(Harvard University), Francesco S. Pasqualini(Harvard University), Seungkuk Ahn(Harvard University), Alexander Cho(Harvard University), Hongyan Yuan(Harvard University), Ben M. Maoz(Harvard University), Ragu Vijaykumar(Howard Hughes Medical Institute), Jeong‐Woo Choi(Harvard University), Karl Deisseroth(Howard Hughes Medical Institute), George Lauder(Harvard University), L. Mahadevan(Harvard University), Kevin Kit Parker(Harvard University)
Science
July 7, 2016
10.1126/science.aaf4292
Cited by 713Open Access
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Abstract

Inspired by the relatively simple morphological blueprint provided by batoid fish such as stingrays and skates, we created a biohybrid system that enables an artificial animal--a tissue-engineered ray--to swim and phototactically follow a light cue. By patterning dissociated rat cardiomyocytes on an elastomeric body enclosing a microfabricated gold skeleton, we replicated fish morphology at 1/10 scale and captured basic fin deflection patterns of batoid fish. Optogenetics allows for phototactic guidance, steering, and turning maneuvers. Optical stimulation induced sequential muscle activation via serpentine-patterned muscle circuits, leading to coordinated undulatory swimming. The speed and direction of the ray was controlled by modulating light frequency and by independently eliciting right and left fins, allowing the biohybrid machine to maneuver through an obstacle course.

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