A perspective on the use of light as a driving element for bio-hybrid actuation

Abstract

Bio-hybrid actuators are devices based on muscle cells or tissues, designed to exploit the force generated by the biological element to execute an action or a movement. Typically, cells and tissue control are achieved electrically by using metal electrodes implanted in living elements. In this Perspective, we focus our attention on an alternative stimulation approach based on light. We highlight the potential of light stimulation in terms of performance and discuss the comparison with classical electrical stimulation. Finally, we discuss future challenges and possible applications of light-controlled actuators.

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

“…Ziapin2 could be used as a non-invasive optical tool to control cardiac electrical activity for bio-hybrid robotics studies (in which CMs are often the biological substrate), thus enabling or simplifying design and fabrication of the actuators. 53 , 54 , 55 Also, the possibility to pattern light in cardiac organoids or microtissues will allow to address fundamental questions of cardiac biology.…”

Optical modulation of excitation-contraction coupling in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes

“…Ziapin2 could be used as a non-invasive optical tool to control cardiac electrical activity for bio-hybrid robotics studies (in which CMs are often the biological substrate), thus enabling or simplifying design and fabrication of the actuators (Park et al, 2016; Raman et al, 2016; Vurro et al, 2022). Also, the possibility to pattern light in cardiac organoids or microtissues will allow to address fundamental questions of cardiac biology.…”

Will microfluidics enable functionally integrated biohybrid robots?

“…Chemical biosensing has been demonstrated through many examples of biosensors, typically realized with bacteria ( 32 – 35 ). Biohybrid technologies to recognize and sense mechanical stimuli have been shown through cells specialized in tactile or auditory perception ( 16 , 36 ), while the optical reactivity of certain cell types and organisms has opened perspectives on biological vision and the control of robots ( 37 – 39 ). At the beginning of the millennium, retina prostheses composed of living cells and engineered materials have started research in biohybrid technologies to restore vision ( 40 – 42 ), and these have been strongly fostered by micro- and nano-technological advancements.…”

“…Optogenetic genome modification imposes photosensitivity to cells. This acquired, unnatural ability can be exploited to control the native functionality of the cells (e.g., electrochemical signaling or physical contraction for neurons and muscle cells, respectively) ( 37 , 43 ). Moreover, the light refractivity of certain organisms could be used to sense optical signals in the environment: for example, the plastic and adaptable responses of a plasmodium to light exposure generated integrated information processors for robotic control ( 38 ).…”