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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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if the cells are using each other as templates to self replicate then they can't evolve with out mutations or some kind of genetic variation to aid is the process of adaptation.
If mistakes are made in the replication then there's the variation you're looking for. One doesn't need the gene for there to have variation. Variation can occur even in non gene types as long as it is possible for the self replicating unit to make imperfect replications.
well at first life began with cell that self-replicated then they mutated(?) from asexual to sexual lifeforms. I assume the same can happen given enough time with these.
The first ancestor of Optimus Prime!
terminator? t1000.
And that became known as the day the machines were born.
lmao . yess .
absolutely fascinating!
although i wish it wasn't called iCHell (icy hell, or I see Hell) seems to be a bad move in the branding dept.
absolutely fascinating!
although i wish it wasn't called iCHell (icy hell, or I see Hell) seems to be a bad move in the branding dept.
Icy hell, as in something very unlikely ie. "When hell freezes over." Pretty clever actually.
Rewriting the book of life... hardly... only merely studying it... No one even knows what life is... to its origin and purpose or meaning, or will...
the only thing Ifind confusing about all your comments is
why the date is not wrtten day month year as in 25/12/11.
I find this very alien. Jonny english
month/day/year is how its done in the US mate
pfft ignorant American not everyone follows exactly what the us does.... dumbass
Someone answered a question kindly and you called them a dumbass because they simply mentioned the U.S. (which was obviously 100% relevant)? Considering they used the word "mate", I doubt they're American, mate. Go get a grasp on civility or kill yourself. Either outcome is acceptable.
pfft ignorant American not everyone follows exactly what the us does.... dumbass
FUSHIGI!!!!!!!
big difference between adapt and evolve, they are trying way to hard to prove other theories, big stretch, as usual.
All i have to say is Transformers..
There is a problem with this situation..life requires information..if information cannot be stored and recalled..life will not happen. Also...what sort of energy are these droplets using...they look like droplets of mercury to me...stinks of a hoax..where is the research evidence?
The picture looks like mercury because it is mercury...the image title even says so. They don't have a photo of metal cells, apparently, so they used a generic one as fluff. I'm not saying you're wrong to be questioning this whole thing, just you should probably be aware that that photo isn't actually supposed to be the cells in question.
Have we forgotten that non-carbon based life has already been proven to exist? Wasn't it confirmed last year that arsenic based bacteria was discovered in California?
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