Scientists Develop Semi-living Cyborg Cells
By triggering a complex chemical process, scientists were able to develop versatile, synthetic “cyborg” cells in the lab. Cells lack the ability to divide and grow, but they share many characteristics with living cells.
According to experts, it is important that these artificial cells do not reproduce on their own. Because they need to be carefully controlled to be useful. This may not be possible if it reproduces in the same way as real cells.
The researchers behind the new breakthrough report that “cyborg cells” could be used to treat diseases like cancer.
“Cyborg cells can be programmed, gain new abilities, and while doing so, maintain essential cellular activities,” said Cheemeng Tan, a biomedical engineer at the University of California, USA.
PROVEN TO BE DURABLE
Tan and his colleagues basically transformed these structures into bacterial cells. Artificial polymers were then added to these and exposed to ultraviolet light so that they could attach to the body like natural cells.
Experiments have also proven that these structures are more resistant to factors such as high pH and antibiotic exposure that result in the death of native cells.
In addition, they are able to maintain their normal biological functions under these factors.
“Cyborg cells retain essential functions such as cellular metabolism, motility, protein synthesis, and compatibility with genetic circuits,” says the paper, published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Advanced Science.
