Frog-based machine organisms

Vindictus

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www.theguardian.com

Scientists use stem cells from frogs to build first living robots

Researchers foresee myriad benefits for humanity, but also acknowledge ethical issues

It would seem that we are now building the very first nanomachines- out of frog cells.

Seems like it'll probably be interesting to see how this goes. Also, how complex can these machines be made? Is there any particular reason why you couldn't manufacture larger custom organisms to be synthesized like this? I'm not entirely clear on the technical limitations of this approach, and science reporting is, well, science reporting: it's not going to give an objective understanding of the science, it's going to present a dramatized clickbait to pull in views and ad revenue.
 
Pretty sure it does not count as nanotech if you make it using living cells. Maybe biotech?
Honestly I saw this thread and I was hoping for hopping frog bots.
 
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Pretty sure it does not count as nanotech if you make it using living cells. Maybe biotech?

the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less than 100 nanometers, especially the manipulation of individual atoms and molecules.

It has nothing to do with whether the mechanisms is implemented though micro manufacturing, chemistry, or co-opting biology. It's a term, like cyborg, that is much broader than the popular imagery it invokes.
 
Well, they're using frog cells which are in the range of microns so these aren't nanomachines by any definition. While it's certainly interesting I'm also doubtful about using these anywhere in the human body at least in their current form. At the moment the organisms are way to large at over 500 µm which seriously limits penetration and thus cargo delivery and they will most likely be seen as a foreign matter that shouldn't be anywhere in your body and will be treated as such.
 
So, basically Floris Kaayk's Modular Body aka, Frankenstein's transhumanist lego set is now theoretically plausible.
Not really?

You'd need to create a plug and play nervous and cardiovascular system for that, something that would allow you to add and remove prefabbed body parts together. That would be a challenge, to say the least: it would require that you take this technology to the point of custom-fabricated biological prosthetics and beyond.
 
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