We're often taught that life follows death.
But what comes after is open to interpretation—some believe in an afterlife, while others think there's simply nothing.
However, the emergence of new multicellular life forms from the cells of a dead organism suggests a "third state" that transcends the conventional divide between life and death.
Scientists define death as the irreversible cessation of all functions necessary for an organism's survival as a unified whole.
Practices like organ donation reveal that organs, tissues, and cells can still function even after the organism itself has died. This resilience prompts the question: What mechanisms enable certain cells to continue functioning after the organism's death?
In 2021, a study revealed that skin cells from deceased frogs began utilizing small, hair-like structures called cilia—normally used to move mucus—to navigate their surroundings, showcasing an unexpected level of cellular functionality after death.
These cells spontaneously reorganized into multicellular organisms known as xenobots, which are able to replicate themselves without growing as would usually happen within a living organism.
Their lifespan is limited, however, from just a few hours to a matter of weeks, but there is potential for their use in medical treatment.
One suggestion is to use anthrobots, derived from a living person's own cells, as a vehicle for delivering drugs. This approach could prevent the body’s immune system from rejecting the treatment, as the anthrobots would be biologically compatible with the individual.
The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time.
Several factors determine whether certain cells and tissues can survive and function after an organism's death. These include environmental conditions, metabolic activity level, and preservation techniques' effectiveness.
Researchers believe that autoimmune processes, high energy costs, and the degradation of protective mechanisms may contribute to many failures in islet transplants.
How the interplay of these variables allows certain cells to continue functioning after an organism dies remains unclear.
The "third state" not only provides new insights into cell adaptability but also opens up possibilities for developing innovative treatments.
Multicellular organisms have a finite lifespan, typically degrading after four to six weeks. This natural "kill switch" helps prevent the unchecked growth of potentially invasive cells.
How much life after death is possible isn’t known for certain, but the researchers suggest the outer membrane of cells can act as an electrical circuit.
The review said: ‘These channels and pumps generate electrical signals that allow cells to communicate with each other and execute specific functions such as growth and movement, shaping the structure of the organism they form.’
Reference:
1. Pozhitkov, A., & Noble, P. A. (n.d.). Biobots arise from the cells of dead organisms − pushing the boundaries of life, death and medicine. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/biobots-arise-from-the-cells-of-dead-organisms-pushing-the-boundaries-of-life-death-and-medicine-238176
2. Noble, Peter A., Alexander Pozhitkov, Kanhaiya Singh, Erik Woods, Chunyu Liu, Michael Levin, Gulnaz Javan, et al. “Unraveling the Enigma of Organismal Death: Insights, Implications, and Unexplored Frontiers.” Physiology 39, no. 5 (September 1, 2024): 313–23. https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.00004.2024.
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(Rehash/Simran Sethi/MSM)