Nanobots Carry Sperm to Fertilize Living Eggs

Overview

German researchers developed “spermbots” or “tiny robot suits” that they believe can help treat and effectively cure certain cases of male infertility. While the team experimented on a petri dish, if the experiment goes to human trials, it could revolutionize male fertility treatment.

The science and other stuff to know

Of all infertility cases, approximately 30 to 40 percent are due to male factors (sperm concentration and motility), according to a recent study published in NIH’s National Center for Biotechnology Information. So, what are spermbots and how can they treat male infertility?

As demonstrated in the YouTube video, spermbots are a powerful way to ensure sperm reaches an egg. The “bots” are metal helixes and are designed to wrap around the tail of a single sperm and help push the sperm toward an egg for conception to take place.

According to the study published in Advanced Materials, each spermbot uses a magnetic field for power, and direction would be controlled by a fertility specialist. After the sperm has successfully reached the egg, the bot will detach and reverse direction by itself. Since there are no human trials to report at this time, we don’t have specific details on how spermbots are introduced into the body or removed.

Dive deeper

• Female-free births could significantly lower cases of premature births and infant mortality
• Check out how these scientists grew a living animal in an artificial womb
• Modifying our DNA: The age of human gene editing and designer babies is already here