Xenobots: The Bloated Media Sensation or a Revolutionary Biological Tool?

[Bhakti Niskama Shanta]

Will Xenobots and comparable so called living cell machines unlock breakthroughs in biotechnology, transforming our understanding of life? The designation Xenobots is somewhat inaccurate, as scientists have not engineered cells with robotic control; cell functions are self-directed and lack external robotic governance. Scientists made a remarkable breakthrough in 2020 with the creation of Xenobots, miniature robot-like entities composed of living cells. Computer algorithms are employed to design optimal cell configurations for mobility and task assignment. Thereafter, stem cells from African Clawed Frog embryos are cultivated and assembled into specific shapes using microsurgery tools, guided by successful virtual designs. The scientific world and media likened Xenobots to a modern-day embodiment of Frankenstein's Monster.

Experts in Xenopus research refute exaggerated media claims about 'xenobots.' In laboratory settings, Xenopus embryos are utilized for explants that showcase advantageous properties, including cell aggregation and self-organization. Although the underlying research is rigorous, media depictions of these cells as sophisticated drug delivery systems are misleading. Their movement and clustering are unpredictable and attribute to the cells' innate characteristics, not cutting-edge engineering.

Scientists aim to decipher the sophisticated mechanisms driving coordinated molecular interactions within living cells, a stark departure from ordinary chemistry. By mastering robotic control over these processes and exploring conservation in human cells or nanomachines, researchers may create genuine nanobots. This endeavor draws parallels with abiogenesis and artificial intelligence, highlighting the term Xenobots as misleading, as it does not accurately reflect the potential for life-inspired, programmable machines.

http://youtube.com/post/Ugkx-33jnMFYg7l5m-1GRW9PkRAJ2rXqoD8L?si=ZfycFHkoPLhsbRpO

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First International Conference on a Dialogue between Vedanta and Science on the Origin of Life and Evolution

(Vedanta and Science Dialogue Series: VSDS — 2024)

November 23—24, 2024

Aksharaa School, Kathmandu, Nepal