Real Zombie Cells? Researchers Revive Dead Cells, More PowerfulAmanda Warren Researchers inAlbuquerque NM have come up with an alchemy that breathes more power into dead mammal cells. These super undead cells can survive conditions that living organisms cannot, making them highly favorable for study versus typical mummified or preserved dead specimens. Scientists from Sandia NationalLaboratoriesin partnership with University of New Mexico processed living cells in a Petri dish and coated them with silicic acid solution that acts like an embalming fluid, penetrating even the nano-parts of the cells. It forms a permeable armor that can withstand tests above 750 degreesFahrenheit and high pressure. After the heat treatment, the protein boundaries around and within the cell (organic material) evaporate leaving the silica as a perfect mold or replica of the former living being, like a wax museum exhibit. But its not just a surface mold the silicic acid permeates everything down to the last intricate nano part. King Tut was mummified to approximately resemble his living self, but the process took place without mineralization [a process of fossilization]. Our zombie cells bridge chemistry and biology to create forms that not only near-perfectly resemble their past selves, but can do future work. [emphasis added] While it is a scientific breakthrough (it allows scientists to kill and revive mammal cells as opposed to recreate the same structures) what do you say? Can these preserved cells constitute zombie-ism? Are they really undead? The researchers involved definitely call them zombie replicants and emphasize that they outperform the living. Is this decades zombie fascination a matter of target-marketing? Making science sexy? Or a predictive ushering in of something more? Read other articles by Amanda Warren Source: 