As humans, we generally perceive life and death as two aspects of the same phenomenon. Nonetheless, some scientists propose the existence of a “third state” that lies between these two conditions. Evidence for this intermediate state is illustrated by our ability to utilize organs, tissues, and cells beyond the moment the organism they belonged to ceases to live. Remarkably, these components continue to thrive.
In a post on The Conversation, the researchers behind a recent publication elaborate on how they believe these biobots come into existence and describe their process of taking cells and transforming them into multicellular entities with novel functions after death. Contrary to how it may sound, these are not zombie cells. Rather, they seem to represent entirely new organisms with a distinct existence to lead.
But how does this establish the existence of a third state existing between life and death? Typically, death is regarded as the definitive termination of an organism. At this juncture, the original organism ceases to function. However, this scenario differs. The researchers demonstrated that certain cells can endure and be transformed into something completely new.
Thus, this third state challenges the prevailing scientific understanding of cell function. As researchers are capable of converting existing cells into new organisms with varied purposes, they have begun referring to them as living robots. These entities may have numerous applications in medical and scientific arenas, although researchers continue to investigate the precise mechanisms involved in this process.
Numerous instances exist of organisms altering or evolving into different forms. However, it is quite uncommon for an organism to shift in ways not already predetermined. This distinction sets the third state apart from transformations observed in certain species, such as butterflies or tadpoles.
Depending on the source of the living robot, the functions it acquires during its transformation may differ. For example, researchers discovered that isolated human lung cells can actually self-organize into new multicellular entities known as anthrobots. These living robots then exhibit novel behaviors, allowing them to navigate their surroundings and repair themselves as well as nearby damaged neuron cells.
However, certain conditions must be met for these cells to persist post the demise of their host organism. The researchers indicate that a variety of factors, including the duration since the organism’s death and the level of metabolic activity at the time of death, can significantly influence the emergence of this third state of existence. Additionally, aspects such as health, sex, and age may also affect the postmortem environment.
