Scientists have created 'Xenobots,' the world's first living robots made entirely from frog cells.

In January 2020, researchers from the University of Vermont, Tufts University, and Harvard University's Wyss Institute announced the creation of Xenobots. These organisms are derived from stem cells of the African clawed frog, known scientifically as Xenopus laevis. The team used a supercomputer at the University of Vermont to run an evolutionary algorithm that tested thousands of potential designs for the new life-forms.The algorithm selected shapes that were best suited for specific tasks, such as moving in a straight line or carrying a payload. Once the designs were finalized, microsurgeons used tiny forceps and electrodes to assemble the cells into the specified 3D shapes. The resulting Xenobots utilize skin cells for structural support and heart muscle cells for propulsion, as the heart cells naturally contract and expand.Xenobots are unique because they are neither traditional robots nor a known animal species. They can survive in aqueous environments for up to ten days without additional nutrients by relying on internal energy stores. Furthermore, if a Xenobot is cut or damaged, it can spontaneously stitch its own body back together, a feat impossible for conventional metal or plastic robots.This breakthrough suggests a future where biodegradable, programmable organisms could perform delicate tasks. Potential applications include scraping plaque from human arteries, delivering targeted drugs to tumors, or collecting microplastics from the ocean. The project was funded in part by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) under the Lifelong Learning Machines program.