[IMG]http://scitechdaily.com/images/Movable-Cytoskeleton-Membrane-Fabricated-for-First-Time.jpg[/IMG]
[quote]Cells are complex objects with a sophisticated metabolic system. Their evolutionary ancestors, the primordial cells, were merely composed of a membrane and a few molecules. These were minimalistic yet perfectly functioning systems.
Thus, “back to the origins of the cell” became the motto of the group of TUM Professor Andreas Bausch, who is member of the cluster of excellence “Nanosystems Initiative Munich (NIM)” and his international partners. Their dream is to create a simple cell model with a specific function using a few basic ingredients. In this sense they are following the principle of synthetic biology in which individual cellular building blocks are assembled to create artificial biological systems with new characteristics.
The vision of the biophysicists was to create a cell-like model with a biomechanical function. It should be able to move and change its shape without external influences. They describe how they turned this goal into reality in the current edition of the academic journal Science, where their research is featured as cover story.
From a physical perspective, the microtubules form a two-dimensional liquid crystal under the membrane, which is in a permanent state of motion. “One can picture the liquid crystal layer as tree logs drifting on the surface of a lake,” explains Felix Keber, lead author of the study. “When it becomes too congested, they line up in parallel but can still drift alongside each other.”[/quote]
[URL="http://scitechdaily.com/synthetic-materials-mimic-living-organisms/"]http://scitechdaily.com/synthetic-materials-mimic-living-organisms/[/URL]
Don't know if this has been posted. But still interesting stuff.
This is abiogenesis right?
We could potentially throw tons of similar devices on a planet and let the system cause pseudo-natural selection. It could result in a life tree as complex as earths.
Makes me think of Meld
[t]http://gamefob.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2013-11-13_00016.jpg[/t]
Will we soon be able to create synthetic life?
Will we become gods...?
[QUOTE=Tmaxx;45965206]Will we soon be able to create synthetic life?
Will we become gods...?[/QUOTE]
Fuck that give me depth perception eye implants.
I want that Aim bonus, dammit.
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