In this communication we describe the preparation and operation of two types of Ni/Au nanorods (NRs) as new magnetic micromotors for the transport and manipulation of single cells to target specific areas with micron-size precision. This enables huge potential environmental or biomedical applications at the cellular scale. Electrodeposition followed by chemical treatment was employed to fabricate biocompatible Ni/Au NRs in two different configurations: non-homogeneous bi-segmented Ni@NiO–Au and homogeneous core-shell Ni@Au NRs. After incubating the NRs with yeast cells for 24 h, they were partially taken into the cells, forming cells–NR biohybrid microstructures. We demonstrate that the asymmetric hybrid structures can be driven by external magnetic fields. The velocity and direction of the cells' motion can be controlled and tuned by modifying the field strength, frequency or direction of the rotating magnetic field. Similar hydrodynamic behaviour is observed for biohybrid microstructures containing the two types of NRs.