New research indicates that under certain conditions, certain types of cells have the ability to “regenerate” into new forms of life after the organism that housed them has died.
Traditionally, life and death are viewed as opposing states. However, this new study describes the emergence of new multicellular life forms from the cells of a deceased organism, referring to it as an “intermediate state”, existing outside the boundaries of life and death.
In scientific terms, death is the irreversible cessation of all functional activities in an organism. However, activities such as organ donation highlight how body parts, tissues, and cells can continue to function even after the organism has died. What mechanism allows this to happen?
New research confirms the existence of an “intermediate state” beyond the boundary of life and death – (Illustrative image: Indy100)
The research team, led by Associate Professor Peter Noble from the University of Washington and Dr. Alex Pozhitkov from the City of Hope Cancer Center (both in the USA), described how certain types of cells can transform into new multicellular organisms with new functions when provided with sufficient nutrients, oxygen, and bioelectricity (electricity produced in living organisms) after the body has died.
For example, a 2021 study demonstrated that skin cells taken from a deceased frog embryo spontaneously reorganized into multicellular organisms known as xenobots. These organisms can use hair-like structures to navigate their surroundings, rather than moving through mucus as typically seen in living frog embryos. Xenobots can also replicate their structure and function without growing.
Similar results were observed in human lung cells, which can form multicellular organisms called anthrobots, capable of moving around and even self-healing and repairing nearby injured nerve cells.
The research team stated that they have not yet fully understood how “life” can persist after death (the intermediate state).
“One hypothesis is that specialized channels and pumps in the outer membrane of the cells act like complex electrical circuits. They generate electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with each other and perform specific functions like growth and movement, shaping the structure of the organism they wish to form,” IFLScience quoted from the study.
According to Associate Professor Noble, beyond challenging human understanding of life, death, and the nature of organisms, the broader implications of the “intermediate state” for the medical field could be significant.
“Cells in the intermediate state have the potential to be designed to address medical issues, such as serving as drug delivery systems within the body. This represents an exciting new direction for scientific research,” Noble stated.
The research team believes that by addressing questions about the mysteries of life and death, we will uncover groundbreaking insights into the nature of life.
The article by the research team was published in the journal Physiology.
