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Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Using Synthetic Biology to Engineer Living Cells That Interface with Programmable Materials

Published on: March 9, 2017

Living technology: exploiting life's principles in technology.

Mark A Bedau¹, John S McCaskill, Norman H Packard

¹University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, USA. mab@reed.edu

Artificial Life

|October 28, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Living technology, inspired by life

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Area of Science:

Bio-inspired engineering
Artificial life studies
Synthetic biology

Background:

Living technology leverages core features of life.
Examples include artificial life software, self-reproducing robots, and hybrid systems.
Distinguishes between primary (non-biological components) and secondary (biological components) living technology.

Purpose of the Study:

To explain and illustrate the concept of living technology.
To define primary and secondary living technology.
To explore connections with related fields and ethical considerations.

Main Methods:

Conceptual review and synthesis of existing research.
Illustration with diverse examples across different domains.
Tracing interdisciplinary connections.

Main Results:

Primary living technology is an emerging and powerful field.
Living technology integrates concepts from artificial life, synthetic biology, and NBIC convergence.
Identifies key components and systems derived from or not derived from living organisms.

Conclusions:

Living technology represents a significant and evolving technological frontier.
Understanding its interdisciplinary links is crucial.
Social and ethical implications require careful consideration.