Recently, a team of scientists from the University of California, in the United States, and Academia Sinica, located in Taiwan, managed, through a very complex chemical procedure, to create "cyborg" synthetic cells in laboratory. In this way, they could help in the study and treatment of many diseases. Learn more as you read.
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As published in an article on January 11, in the journal Advanced Science, these cells are quite similar to ordinary living cells, but do not have the conditions to divide and grow. According to the team of researchers, this invention could be a major advance in the study of diseases such as cancer, thus representing a considerable boost in the health sector.
With the tests carried out, it was proven that the cyborg cells have the capacity to invade cells carcinogens, reason to believe in the possible potential to develop health treatments in the future next. In addition, the researchers explain that these cells are more resistant to external factors that could kill ordinary cells, such as exposure to
antibiotics and high pH.Another very important factor for research is that the cells cyborgs cannot replicate, since for artificial cells to be considered useful they need to be very carefully controlled. However, what impedes their replication potential is still not very clear.
How are cyborg cells made?
Currently, for the construction of synthetic cells, it is necessary to remodel the genetics of cells that already exist, giving them new functions, such as reproduction capacity or greater flexibility, or even building them from scratch, making it impossible for them to replicate and guaranteeing biological functions restricted.
However, cyborg cells were created in a third way: Scientists used cells baseline bacteria by adding elements of an artificial polymer that had been exposed to light ultraviolet. Such exposure turned them into a hydrogel matrix, a replica of the natural extracellular matrix.
However, scientists have already warned that despite the promising discovery, they are still a long way from replicating the process in humans. Now, they are focused on discovering possible uses for cyborg cells, as well as crafting them with different materials.
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