Biologists have discovered a 'third state': cells from a dead organism can take on new life

Science has long viewed death as the end of an organism's life. However, recent research has shown that this is not always the case. Scientists call this phenomenon the "third state" - a unique interval between life and death in which cells acquire new properties and functions.

Research into postmortem cell activity

In 2016, Peter Noble and Alexander Pojitkov from the University of Washington published a study that showed that thousands of genes continue to be expressed after the death of an organism. This was demonstrated in danio fish and mice, in which genesremained active up to 96 hours after death. This phenomenon became the basis for further study of the processes that occur with cells after the death of the organism.

Thenew study, published in the journal Physiology, expands the understanding of this phenomenon. Noble, Pozhitkov and their colleagues from American universities, including the famous xenobot creator Michael Levine, described how cells extracted from a dead organism, under certain conditions, can transform into multicellular organisms with new functions. These organisms, called biobots, demonstrate that life and death are not separated by a clear boundary and that the transition period can have unique consequences.

Example of xenobots and anthrobots

Scientists identify several examples of such transformations. One of the most interesting cases is the creation of xenobots from frog skin cells. In laboratory conditions, cells that should have ceased their activity after the death of the organism spontaneously assembled into multicellular organisms. These xenobots are able to move around using cilia and can even self-replicate, albeit without increasing in size.

Another example is anthrobots created from single cells of the human lung. These microscopic structures are able to move around and perform amazing functions such as self-healing and helping to heal damaged neurons.

The third state is the new line between life and death

"Third state" that scientists are talking about implies that the death of an organism may not be the final event for its cells. Cells continue to function after death thanks to their complex biological mechanisms. They are able to adapt, change their functions and perform tasks that were previously uncharacteristic of them. For example, they can use specialised channels and pumps in their membranes to create electrical circuits that enable information exchange and coordination in a new organism.

This discovery greatly expands our understanding of the plasticity of cellular systems and challenges the notion that cells and organisms follow predetermined biological developmental plans. Scientists believe that this process may play an important role in the biological transformation that continues after death.

Postmortem cell activity and its significance

Studies have shown that cells and tissues continue to function after death for a certain amount of time. Leukocytes, for example, remain active for 60-86 hours after death. Muscle cells in mice can be "revived" two weeks after death, and fibroblasts in sheep and goats remain active for up to a month.

These findings raise many questions about what makes cells continue to work after death. Scientists speculate that special cell membrane mechanisms may be responsible, which allow cells to adapt and interact even when the organism is dying.

Prospects for medicine

New knowledge about the "third state" and biobots may open new horizons in medicine. These processes can be used to develop new treatments, tissue and organ repair. For example, theability of biobots and anthrobots to heal damaged neurons could give rise to new ways of treating diseases of the nervous system.