Spermbots: Concept and applications

Abstract

Biohybrid systems are promising solutions in micro- and nanobio-technology due to the possibility to combine exciting biological properties of living microorganisms/cells (e.g. sensing and taxis mechanisms), and the controllability of man-made microstructures. Here we present the development of tubular and helical spermbots, a concept that refers to a sperm-based microrobot. The recent achievements include the capture, guidance and release of motile and immotile sperm cells by artificial magnetic microstructures (micro-tubes, microhelices or four-armed microtubes). These approaches are interesting for potential applications in in vivo assisted fertilization and targeted drug delivery. The characteristics, challenges and possibilities are discussed in detail throughout this work.