Directed cell migration is critical across biological processes spanning healing to cancer invasion, yet no existing tools allow real-time interactive guidance over such migration. We present a new bioreactor that harnesses electrotaxis—directed cell migration along electric field gradients—by integrating four independent electrodes under computer control to dynamically program electric field patterns, and hence steer cell migration. Using this platform, we programmed and characterized multiple precise, two-dimensional collective migration maneuvers in renal epithelia and primary skin keratinocyte ensembles. First, we demonstrated on-demand, 90-degree collective turning. Next, we developed a universal electrical stimulation scheme capable of programming arbitrary 2D migration maneuvers such as precise angular turns and migration in a complete circle. Our stimulation scheme proves that cells effectively time-average electric field cues, helping to elucidate the transduction timescales in electrotaxis. Together, this work represents an enabling platform for controlling cell migration with broad utility across many cell types.

定向细胞迁移在从愈合到癌症侵袭的整个生物过程中至关重要，但现有的工具还没有允许对这种迁移进行实时交互式指导。我们提出了一种新的生物反应器，它利用趋电性（沿着电场梯度定向细胞迁移），通过在计算机控制下集成四个独立电极来动态编程电场模式，从而引导细胞迁移。使用该平台，我们对肾上皮和原代皮肤角质形成细胞群中的多个精确的二维集体迁移操作进行了编程和表征。首先，我们演示了按需 90 度集体转向。接下来，我们开发了一种通用电刺激方案，能够对任意 2D 迁移操作进行编程，例如精确的角度转动和完整圆的迁移。我们的刺激方案证明细胞有效地对电场信号进行时间平均，有助于阐明趋电性的转导时间尺度。总之，这项工作代表了一个控制细胞迁移的支持平台，在许多细胞类型中具有广泛的实用性。