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Scientist creates lifelike cells out of metal
Researcher says he has created living cells made of metal instead of carbon — and they may be evolving.
Fri, Sep 16 2011 at 1:38 AM
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Photo: p.Gordon/Flickr
Scientists trying to create artificial life generally work under the assumption that life must be carbon-based, but what if a living thing could be made from another element?
One British researcher may have proven that theory, potentially rewriting the book of life. Lee Cronin of the University of Glasgow has created lifelike cells from metal — a feat few believed feasible. The discovery opens the door to the possibility that there may be life forms in the universe not based on carbon, reports New Scientist.
Even more remarkable, Cronin has hinted that the metal-based cells may be replicating themselves and evolving.
"I am 100 percent positive that we can get evolution to work outside organic biology," he said.
The high-functioning "cells" that Cronin has built are constructed from large polyoxometalates derived from a range of metal atoms, like tungsten. He gets them to assemble in bubbly spheres by mixing them in a specialized saline solution, and calls the resultant cell-like structures "inorganic chemical cells," or iCHELLs.
The metallic bubbles are certainly cell-like, but are they actually alive? Cronin has made a compelling case for the comparison by constructing the iCHELLS with a number of features that make them function much as real cells do. For instance, by modifying the outer oxide structure of the bubbles so that they are porous, he has essentially built iCHELLs with membranes capable of selectively allowing chemicals in and out according to size, much as what happens with the walls of real cells.
Cronin's team has also created bubbles inside of bubbles, which opens the door to the possibility of developing specialized "organelles." Even more compelling, some of the iCHELLs are being equipped with the ability to photosynthesize. The process is still rudimentary, but by linking some oxide molecules to light sensitive dyes, the team has constructed a membrane that splits water into hydrogen ions, electrons and oxygen when illuminated — which is how photosynthesis begins in real cells.
Of course, the most compelling lifelike quality of the iCHELLs so far is their ability to evolve. Although they aren't equipped with anything remotely resembling DNA, and therefore can't replicate themselves in the same way that real cells do, Cronin has nevertheless managed to create some polyoxometalates that can use each other as templates to self-replicate. Furthermore, he is currently embarked on a seven-month experiment to see if iCHELLs placed in different environments will evolve.
The early results have been encouraging. "I think we have just shown the first droplets that can evolve," Cronin hinted.
Though the idea of a strange new metal-based form of life rapidly evolving in a lab somewhere on Earth may sound ominous, the finding could forever change how life is defined. It also greatly improves the odds of life existing elsewhere in the universe, since life forms could potentially be built from any number of different elements.
The possibilities are exciting to imagine, even if Cronin's iCHELLs eventually fall short of full-blown living cells. His research may have already blown the door off previous paradigms about the conditions necessary for life to form.
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A step closer to creating a race of bio-mechanoids.
Just as long as this doesn't lead to a "Battlefield Earth" Sequel, then he would be a mad man!
Could this, if further developed, become the infamous Grey Goo?
This is not surprising at all. To think we humans are the only living things is this vast universe. Is ridiculous. WE think we are intelligent and superior today. However thousands of years ago our ancestors created things we have a hard time duplicating today. Why? Everything and anything is possible.
And this is how the Stardroid known as Mercury came into being.
Only one question: What is life? Nobody answered it yet in from scientific community.
what doth LLLIFE-IFE-IFE-ife
Life is a cycle that presupposes death. A BEL curve distribution from birth to a peak of functional value followed by a gradual decay. The concept of "life-after-death" is a negative value intended to brings some sort of reality to that which is pure fantasy.
Wouldn't that mean my toy robot is alive? Maybe the only fantasy is thinking these scientists are creating life when all they're doing is making a complex gooey robot?
That question has been answered a long time ago. In the simplest of terms, life is cellular in nature and carries out complex chemical reactions. I recommend looking at any basic biology textbook.
you want a scientific description of life? or a philosophical therory? clear that up, then ask agein
BUM- BUM- BUM- BUH- BUM
What part of "non-organic" is the saline solution you work with in these so-called live cells? What part of non-organic are the rest of the additives you use to stimulate the processes that are occurring?
In organic chemistry and chemistry in general, something being 'organic' is based on a carbon or hydrocarbon structure.
T-1000
Eeek, I fear the grey goo, man.
MMmmmm... lets send these to mars or another hospitable planet, and see if they will evolve into something bigger, better, and stronger. Also SkyNet
I can see my dream! Before I organically die, I want my consciousness transferred.
consciousness doesnt die
It may not die in the sense that your cells do but it does turn off permanently.
HES going to make a real transformer!! feed it gas!!!! feed it gas!! and oil/ fossil fuels. try that. or he's trying to make the matrix or terminator movie happen.
maybe with a mix of starwars lol.
This is a bit scary to say the least...
Not really, it sounds like they really can't do much, and that the scientists have to give them everything to even function. mostly its just cool, and if it works, a big step fOR humanity.
like a lil baby
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