So far, scientists have created a mathematical model to demonstrate how their novel idea would work. The robot would carry sensors and miniature fluorescent microscopes to detect the different genetic expressions of E. Coli bacteria. Suitably modified , the E. coli would turn red or green (with different intensity) depending on what they ate, and the ingenuity would react to those color changes.
The study was inspired by other experiments with living things. For example, a group of biologists has managed to manipulate the sexual behavior of fruit flies using bacteria. Virginia Tech experts suggest that applying this control method to inanimate objects could help better understand the role bacteria play in regulating the human body or even in our mood swings.
They also believe that "bacterial" droids could be useful in tasks such as cleaning up oil spills , where robots would deploy microorganisms capable of ingesting the hydrocarbon.
