The Marvel of Xenobots: Synthetic Lifeforms with a Purpose

Xenobot Vivo Design

Xenobots are synthetic lifeforms that are designed by computers to perform a desired function and are built by combining different biological tissues. These fascinating constructs are named after the African clawed frog, known as Xenopus laevis. The stem cells used in the creation of Xenobots are derived from this species of frog.

What makes Xenobots truly remarkable is their unique nature. They are a one-of-a-kind organism that is simultaneously a living entity comprised of living cells, and a machine that researchers can program to express specific behaviors.

The creation of a Xenobot is a process that involves carefully orchestrated design and execution. The shape of a Xenobot's body, and its distribution of skin and heart cells, are automatically designed in simulation to perform a specific task. This is achieved through a process of trial and error, known as an evolutionary algorithm.

But the capabilities of Xenobots extend beyond their initial programming. These synthetic lifeforms also possess the ability to self-replicate. They achieve this by gathering loose cells in their environment and forming them into new Xenobots with the same capabilities.

The potential applications of Xenobots are both fascinating and wide-ranging. They could be used to pick up microplastics in the ocean, helping to alleviate the growing problem of plastic pollution. In the medical field, they could be used to carry medicine inside human bodies, providing a targeted approach to drug delivery. There's even the possibility of them traveling into our arteries to scrape out plaque, offering a potential revolution in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Xenobots represent a bold step forward in synthetic biology, demonstrating the limitless potential of combining biology and technology.

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https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/13/us/living-robot-stem-cells-intl-hnk-scli-scn/index.html