Abstract
We proposed a hybrid (biotic-abiotic) robotic system using a living component as a micro driving source. In our previous studies, rat primary cardiomyocytes have been employed as a mechanical component that can show autonomous beating by consuming chemical energy. Here, we utilized insect cells as an alternative cell source to develop an environmentally robust bioactuator, since they are tolerant over a wider range of culture conditions e.g. temperature and pH compared with mammal cells. In order to effectively utilize caridomyocyte beating as a driving force of bioactuator, mammalian cell sheets fabricated on temperature-responsive culture surfaces were utilized. These surfaces are cell-adhesive at 37℃ but reversibly change to non-cell adhesive upon temperature-reduction below 32℃. Since insect cells are routinely cultured at 25℃, we developed a novel temperature-responsive culture dishes and proposed a novel hybrid robotic system using insect cell sheets.
