MIT News – Neuroscience

Turning Muscles Into Motors Gives Static Organs New Life

MIT researchers unveiled a myoneural actuator (MNA) that rewires sensory nerves to transform existing muscle into a fatigue‑resistant, computer‑controlled motor for paralyzed organs. In rodent models the MNA restored intestinal squeezing and mimicked residual calf muscle function while sending sensory feedback to the brain. The approach leverages the body’s own tissue, avoiding synthetic implants and reducing fatigue by 260 percent. If scaled to humans, it could replace pacemakers and other mechanical assist devices for millions with organ dysfunction.