If I asked you to build a robot, the first materials you would probably reach for would be some metal bits and plastic bobs.

However, mechanical engineer Ritu Raman designs machines made with biological material, and has created all manner of wonderful machines, including a walking robot made with muscle tissue.

In this week’s episode of the Science Focus Podcast, she tells us about how to integrate biology into engineering and what these remarkable devices can do that traditional machines can’t.

Let us know what you think of the episode with a review or a comment wherever you listen to your podcasts.

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This podcast was supported by brilliant.org, helping people build quantitative skills in maths, science, and computer science with fun and challenging interactive explorations.

Listen to more episodes of the Science Focus Podcast:

Sonia Contera: How will nanotechnology revolutionise medicine?

Sandro Galea: What is the difference between health and medicine?

Gordon Wallace: Is an implantable electronic device the future of medicine?

Professor Catharina Svanborg: Is the cure for cancer hiding in human breast milk?

Nessa Carey: Is gene editing inspiring or terrifying?

Dr Lucy Rogers: What makes a robot a robot?

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