Artificial Jellyfish Built from Heart Cells

**Aanker** · July 23, 2012, 05:39 PM

God creates man. Man creates jellyfish. Man beats God?
(disclaimer: not meant to incite debate on religion)

http://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...from-rat-cells

Amazing. Technology and biology getting integrated into an... Erm... Most interesting application? I guess it isn't really a breakthrough, but it is very interesting nonetheless. Perhaps future heart replacements could be artificially built, using a combination of cells and machinery? Science fiction edging closer to reality...

**Sphere** · July 23, 2012, 05:48 PM

**Menelik_I** · July 24, 2012, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by Sphere

Faster please ... and don't forget the on/off switch.

**Logios** · July 23, 2012, 06:01 PM

Interesting enough, but written with a taste for sensation. It is not a jellyfish, just like a paper plane is not a stealth bomber. It has no digestive or reproductive system or anything else but heart cells on a silicon frame. The jellyfish-like movements are all related to the structure of the construct. It is a big jump however from the monolayer cultures I have worked with, and as is said in the article, it could prove useful for screening potential new drugs for heart ailments, or just to test for heart-related adverse effects.

**Aanker** · July 23, 2012, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Logios

Interesting enough, but written with a taste for sensation. It is not a jellyfish, just like a paper plane is not a stealth bomber. It has no digestive or reproductive system or anything else but heart cells on a silicon frame. The jellyfish-like movements are all related to the structure of the construct. It is a big jump however from the monolayer cultures I have worked with, and as is said in the article, it could prove useful for screening potential new drugs for heart ailments, or just to test for heart-related adverse effects.

Indeed, but I am also thinking that this could prove to be some inspiration for others working in the field of bioengineering, or indeed those who might consider doing so. The sensational value should never be neglected; after all, a moving, animate object is more "interesting" than a set of graphs and tables to most people.