Purdue Researchers Develop Magnetic Microgripper for Gentle Handling of Delicate Cell Spheroids
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Engineers at Purdue University have created a mobile microgripper (MMG) designed to handle fragile cell spheroids with unprecedented care, a critical advancement for tissue engineering.
The device, described in the journal APL Bioengineering, uses magnetic fields for both locomotion and gripper control.
Unlike traditional tools that can crush or damage delicate cellular structures, the MMG incorporates real-time force monitoring to prevent harm during manipulation.
In vitro tests demonstrated successful assembly of individual spheroids into cohesive cellular sheets, a foundational step for building complex tissues.
"The ability to precisely handle and position these building blocks without damaging them is essential for scalable tissue fabrication."
The technology addresses a major bottleneck in regenerative medicine, where manual handling of spheroids often leads to poor viability and irregular tissue formation.