Wireless Precise Manipulation of Tumor Spheroids Using a Millirobot Controlled by Permanent Magnetic Traps

Spheroids are important 3D multicellular culture systems that recapitulate key structural and functional features of native tissues. However, label‐free long‐term and precise manipulation of spheroids in culture environments remains challenging. Here, we report a donut‐shaped magnetic millirobot (DonutBot) controlled by permanent magnetic traps for wireless pick‐and‐place of individual tumor spheroids. The DonutBot is fabricated from magnetic calcium–alginate hydrogel, exhibiting excellent cytocompatibility. A strong in‐plane magnetic trap is established by combining two opposing permanent magnet arrays. Under in vitro culture conditions, stable robot trapping is realized without external energy input or heat generation, ensuring secure positioning of the spheroid. The trapping force steadily holds the spheroid upon regular exchange of cell culture media. By integrating in‐plane control and dynamic vertical control, the DonutBot enables automated pick‐and‐place manipulation of PANC‐1 pancreatic tumor spheroids along designed trajectories. The miniature robotic manipulation system allows for continuous and precise spheroid manipulation under physiologically relevant conditions, offering new opportunities for long‐term studies of spheroid mechanobiology.

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Publication Details

Journal
Advanced Robotics Research
Published
2026-08-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/adrr.70155
Primary Topic
Micro and Nano Robotics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Wireless Precise Manipulation of Tumor Spheroids Using a Millirobot Controlled by Permanent Magnetic Traps

Moonkwang Jeong, Juntian Qu, Tian Qiu, Shengqiang Zhou et al.
Advanced Robotics Research
Micro and Nano Robotics
article

Wireless Precise Manipulation of Tumor Spheroids Using a Millirobot Controlled by Permanent Magnetic Traps

Moonkwang Jeong, Juntian Qu, Tian Qiu, Shengqiang Zhou, Fangchao Long, Leoni A. Kunz‐Schughart, Yue Gao, Anni G. Muñoz, Ann‐Sophia Müller
article en

Abstract

Spheroids are important 3D multicellular culture systems that recapitulate key structural and functional features of native tissues. However, label‐free long‐term and precise manipulation of spheroids in culture environments remains challenging. Here, we report a donut‐shaped magnetic millirobot (DonutBot) controlled by permanent magnetic traps for wireless pick‐and‐place of individual tumor spheroids. The DonutBot is fabricated from magnetic calcium–alginate hydrogel, exhibiting excellent cytocompatibility. A strong in‐plane magnetic trap is established by combining two opposing permanent magnet arrays. Under in vitro culture conditions, stable robot trapping is realized without external energy input or heat generation, ensuring secure positioning of the spheroid. The trapping force steadily holds the spheroid upon regular exchange of cell culture media. By integrating in‐plane control and dynamic vertical control, the DonutBot enables automated pick‐and‐place manipulation of PANC‐1 pancreatic tumor spheroids along designed trajectories. The miniature robotic manipulation system allows for continuous and precise spheroid manipulation under physiologically relevant conditions, offering new opportunities for long‐term studies of spheroid mechanobiology.

Advanced Robotics Research
German Cancer Research Center (DE), Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (DE), National Center for Tumor Diseases (DE), University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus (DE), Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Dresden – University of Applied Sciences (DE), Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen Dresden (DE), Technische Universität Dresden (DE), Tsinghua University (CN)
European Research Council
Affordable and clean energy
Openalex Percentile: Top 15%
Micro and Nano Robotics
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