Living Robots Reproduce in a Unique Way

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The discussion centers on the recent breakthrough by US scientists who have developed xenobots, the first living robots capable of a novel form of reproduction not observed in any known plants or animals. Originating from the stem cells of the African clawed frog, these tiny organisms, measuring less than a millimeter, were initially introduced in 2020 for their ability to move, collaborate, and self-heal. The researchers from the University of Vermont, Tufts University, and Harvard's Wyss Institute have revealed that xenobots can replicate by gathering loose stem cells to form new entities. While some express concern about the implications of this technology, others argue that xenobots are unlikely to survive outside controlled environments, as they would be quickly consumed or die in natural settings.
berkeman
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I'm still trying to figure out if this is good or bad...

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(CNN)The US scientists who created the first living robots say the life forms, known as xenobots, can now reproduce -- and in a way not seen in plants and animals.

Formed from the stem cells of the African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) from which it takes its name, xenobots are less than a millimeter (0.04 inches) wide. The tiny blobs were first unveiled in 2020 after experiments showed that they could move, work together in groups and self-heal.

Now the scientists that developed them at the University of Vermont, Tufts University and Harvard University's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering said they have discovered an entirely new form of biological reproduction different from any animal or plant known to science.

"I was astounded by it," said Michael Levin, a professor of biology and director of the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University who was co-lead author of the new research
https://www.cnn.com/2021/11/29/americas/xenobots-self-replicating-robots-scn/index.html
 
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Nothing to be worried about really. They're just groups of frog stem cells. Let them loose in a puddle and they will quickly get eaten or otherwise die. No way they could replicate outside of a lab either, as they literally just scoop up loose stem cells which then form another 'machine'.
 
https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-deadliest-spider-in-the-world-ends-lives-in-hours-but-its-venom-may-inspire-medical-miracles-48107 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Versutoxin#Mechanism_behind_Neurotoxic_Properties https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028390817301557 (subscription or purchase requred) he structure of versutoxin (δ-atracotoxin-Hv1) provides insights into the binding of site 3 neurotoxins to the voltage-gated sodium channel...
Popular article referring to the BA.2 variant: Popular article: (many words, little data) https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/17/health/ba-2-covid-severity/index.html Preprint article referring to the BA.2 variant: Preprint article: (At 52 pages, too many words!) https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.14.480335v1.full.pdf [edited 1hr. after posting: Added preprint Abstract] Cheers, Tom

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