ENGINEERED MULTICELLULAR CILIATED ORGANISMS AND KINEMATIC SELF-REPLICATION THEREOF

Smart overview of the Invention

Engineered multicellular organisms, known as Xenobots, are designed from frog (Xenopus laevis) cells and consist of aggregates of ciliated cells. These organisms can move autonomously when the cilia are actuated. They are capable of kinematic self-replication, which involves moving dissociated ciliated cells into piles that form new multicellular organisms. The patent also covers systems and methods for designing, preparing, and utilizing these engineered organisms.

Background and Development

Xenobots are derived from the embryonic cells of Xenopus laevis and can move in various trajectories due to their cilia-covered surfaces. They self-organize without the need for external scaffolds or micromanagement, allowing for scalable production. These biobots can be loaded with various payloads, enabling them to perform diverse tasks in different environments.

Kinematic Self-Replication

Semitoroidal-shaped Xenobots exhibit kinematic self-replication by pushing individual frog cells into piles that grow into new Xenobots. This process can be repeated multiple times if enough cells are provided, suggesting potential for exponential growth. The technology is proposed to have applications in microscale tasks such as microelectronics construction and environmental cleanup.

Experimental Observations

Experiments demonstrate Xenobots' abilities to heal from mechanical damage, navigate complex environments, and record environmental interactions using fluorescent markers. Their movement patterns vary from linear to elliptical, adapting to constraints like narrow mazes. Xenobots also show collective behavior by organizing materials into piles.

Further Applications and Lifespan

Xenobots do not contain neural tissue but have multiciliated cells similar to young tadpoles. Their lifespan is approximately 10 days under standard conditions but can be extended with nutrient-rich media. This adaptability highlights their potential for long-term applications in scientific and environmental fields.