Discover research showing how a biochip can help produce artificial cells and thus create artificial life
Using biochips to create artificial cells.
Contunico © ZDF Enterprises GmbH, Mainz
Transcript
NARRATOR: Many scientists dream of decoding the blueprint of life. Nano-biotechnicians begin their search in cells. They aim to produce artificial cells and thus create artificial life from inanimate matter, through nothing but chemical processes. Their research is still in its infancy and the first step towards producing an artificial cell is a biochip, a computer chip containing organic material. The chip is brought to life, so to speak, in a programmable environment especially developed for the purpose, the omega machine. The scientists intend to gradually add to the cell the various characteristics that define what we call life - the ability to grow, reproduce and adapt to the surrounding environment. They can control all the processes inside the biochip using a computer and a data link consisting of several delicate tubes carrying solutions containing organic compounds that are pumped inside the cell. One could consider these compounds a kind of elixir of life.
JOHN McCASKILL: "We aim to use this model to make a decisive step towards creating an artificial cell in the laboratory. We start by adding some of the cell's functionality artificially and bit by bit we will cease providing the biochip with this external information. We expect that eventually the system will be able to find out for itself, via a process of evolution, how it can put these things together for itself."
NARRATOR: Inside the omega machine are a microscope and a high-sensitivity camera. Working together, they film the nano-processes going on inside the cell. They're able to show what's happening because the scientists attach fluorescent tags to the molecules, allowing the scientists to monitor what occurs inside the cell and influence events on the spot via the computer whenever needed. The researchers are still doing basic research at the moment, but already their experiments are blurring the distinction between designing a machine and engineering life.
McCASKILL: "There are two important things to consider in our work. On the one hand there is the question of to what degree research like this and the attempt to create artificial life encroaches upon the sanctity of life. On the other hand there is another ethical question: How dangerous might it actually be, what we're doing here? And how will we address the risks?"
NARRATOR: If scientists really can create artificial life, this could have tremendous benefits for humankind. But it could also present unknown threats.
JOHN McCASKILL: "We aim to use this model to make a decisive step towards creating an artificial cell in the laboratory. We start by adding some of the cell's functionality artificially and bit by bit we will cease providing the biochip with this external information. We expect that eventually the system will be able to find out for itself, via a process of evolution, how it can put these things together for itself."
NARRATOR: Inside the omega machine are a microscope and a high-sensitivity camera. Working together, they film the nano-processes going on inside the cell. They're able to show what's happening because the scientists attach fluorescent tags to the molecules, allowing the scientists to monitor what occurs inside the cell and influence events on the spot via the computer whenever needed. The researchers are still doing basic research at the moment, but already their experiments are blurring the distinction between designing a machine and engineering life.
McCASKILL: "There are two important things to consider in our work. On the one hand there is the question of to what degree research like this and the attempt to create artificial life encroaches upon the sanctity of life. On the other hand there is another ethical question: How dangerous might it actually be, what we're doing here? And how will we address the risks?"
NARRATOR: If scientists really can create artificial life, this could have tremendous benefits for humankind. But it could also present unknown threats.