Scientists create the first programmable tissues from synthetic cells

Researchers have created artificial fabrics that can mimic some of the complex functions and capabilities of living beings.

A team of scientists from the University of Bristolhas developed a new technology for assembling millions of sticky synthetic cells into a single structure with customizable properties. Such artificial tissues can not only interact with each other, but also respond to changes in the external environment.

The developed method makes it possible to form complex protocellular materials of any size and shape, retain strength andstability in water. This allowed the team to create a complex man-made fabric from several types of layers.

Scientists also programmed protocellsreact in certain ways to different chemicals. So through the experiments, they were able to extract important physical and chemical information from the collective response to stimuli.

According to the team, similar artificialstructures could lay the foundation for a new method for studying the effects of drugs on living tissues. They can also be used as organelles, grafted onto organs, or create soft robots that draw energy from surrounding chemicals.

Scientists have also recently created the first synthetic cell that grows and divides as if it were alive.

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