Biological materials dynamically sense and adapt their form and function to changing environments, but these capabilities have not been fully replicated in the synthetic materials traditionally used by engineers. My research has shown that integrating biohybrid and biomimetic materials with engineered systems yields devices capable of complex behaviors such as self-assembly, self-maintenance, and self-healing. These responsive behaviors are especially desirable in machines that interface with the dynamic human body, as they enable sensing and responding to individualized patient needs. This talk will cover my fundamental research in the field of biohybrid design, including: 1) Forward engineering of skeletal muscle bioactuators for adaptive biohybrid machines; 2) Design and implementation of smart responsive materials in implantable devices; 3) Micro-invasive tools for understanding cell-cell communication in complex 3D networks. These advances will enable my future lab to develop neuromuscular bioactuators for restoring motility in diseased or damaged bodily systems and actuating implantable devices. This talk will make the case that the next generation of biologically relevant machines must integrate our dynamic natural world with our own adaptive bodies.