Scientists discover ‘third state’ beyond life and death

Scientists have discovered a “third state” beyond life and death, where certain cells can continue functioning and evolving after an organism’s death.

Published in the journal Physiology, the study reveals that in this state, cells like those from dead frog embryos can reorganize into multicellular organisms called xenobots, which perform new functions, such as using cilia, small, hair-like structures, to move through their environment.

The researchers also found that isolated human lung cells can turn into multicellular organisms called anthrobots, that can repair both themselves and injured neuron cells placed nearby.

“The third state suggests that organismal death may play a significant role in how life transforms over time,” the researchers note in an article published in The Conversation.