Science 2 min read

Scientists Create Living Machines out of DNA

Billion Photos / Shutterstock.com

Billion Photos / Shutterstock.com

Researchers from Cornell University have created living machines from DNA that are capable of performing the critical functions needed to sustain life. The Cornell scientists built the biomaterial out of synthetic DNA to organize, assemble, and restructure itself autonomously.

Despite the new biomaterial’s apparent capability to eat and grow like biological cells and tissues, the scientists are not yet ready to admit that they have developed lifelike machines. In their study, the researchers mentioned the material’s artificial metabolism capabilities as characteristics of life but never claimed the material itself to be alive.

Dan Luo, a professor from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Cornell University, said:

“We are introducing a brand-new, lifelike material concept powered by its very own artificial metabolism. We are not making something that’s alive, but we are creating materials that are much more lifelike than have ever been seen before.”

The Living Machines

Giving machines artificial intelligence has been one of the key highlights of this century. AI technology has made significant strides in the last decade that gave power to many devices and machines today like smartphones, computers, robots, and even vehicles.

However, creating living machines or synthetic materials that can grow and sustain themselves takes everything to a whole new level. According to the researchers, their biomaterial is currently on par with biologically complex organisms like mold. The team explained in their paper published in the journal Science Robotics:

“Here, we report a bottom-up construction of dynamic biomaterials powered by artificial metabolism, representing a combination of irreversible biosynthesis and dissipative assembly processes. An emergent locomotion behavior resembling a slime mold was programmed with this material by using an abstract design model similar to mechanical systems. An emergent racing behavior of two locomotive bodies was achieved by expanding the program.”

The researchers believe that their biomaterial can be used to identify pathogens and hybrid nanomaterials. The team also reported that the development of dynamic biomaterials with artificial metabolism could pave the way for scientists to explore and potentially create artificial biological systems capable of regenerating and sustaining themselves.

Read More: Why Childcare Robots Will Become The New Norm

First AI Web Content Optimization Platform Just for Writers

Found this article interesting?

Let Chelle Fuertes know how much you appreciate this article by clicking the heart icon and by sharing this article on social media.


Profile Image

Chelle Fuertes

Chelle is the Product Management Lead at INK. She's an experienced SEO professional as well as UX researcher and designer. She enjoys traveling and spending time anywhere near the sea with her family and friends.

Comments (0)
Most Recent most recent
You
1
share Scroll to top

Link Copied Successfully

Sign in

Sign in to access your personalized homepage, follow authors and topics you love, and clap for stories that matter to you.

Sign in with Google Sign in with Facebook

By using our site you agree to our privacy policy.