We present artificially motorized sperm cells—a novel type of hybrid micromotor, where customized microhelices serve as motors for transporting sperm cells with motion deficiencies to help them carry out their natural function. Our results indicate that metal-coated polymer microhelices are suitable for this task due to potent, controllable, and nonharmful 3D motion behavior. We manage to capture, transport, and release single immotile live sperm cells in fluidic channels that allow mimicking physiological conditions. Important steps toward fertilization are addressed by employing proper means of sperm selection and oocyte culturing. Despite the fact that there still remain some challenges on the way to achieve successful fertilization with artificially motorized sperms, we believe that the potential of this novel approach toward assisted reproduction can be already put into perspective with the present work.
CANNER Moderator
Posts : 7020 Join date : 2013-04-30
Subject: Re: Dark Journalist - Elana Freeland Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:23 am
Nanodevice, build thyself
Researchers have studied how a multitude of electronic interactions govern the encounter between a molecule called porphine and copper and silver surfaces -- information that could one day be harnessed to make molecular building blocks self-assemble into nanodevices.
Today at 2:22 pm by 
Subject: Dark Journalist - Elana Freeland 
