Classroom Resources  
Student Article

U.S. Lab Creates Living Robots That Are Capable of Self-Replicating

By: Jason Goodyer
Originally Published in  Science Focus

Pac-Man-shaped "xenobots" made from frog cells could help clean the environment or design personalized medical treatments.

The article "U.S. Lab Creates Living Robots That Are Capable of Self-Replicating" from BBC Science Focus showcases the creation of xenobots, living robots designed using computer simulations and frog heart cells. Xenobots could have future applications in environmental cleanup and personalized medicine.
Student Article Info

BBC's Science Focus is packed with news, discoveries, ideas and innovations to keep you up-to-speed with the complexities of the fast-moving world around us. Learn more about subscriptions here.

Grades:
3-56-89-12
Subject:
Science
Topic:
Engineering and Technology
Keywords
xenobotsliving robotsfrog cellsself-replicating robotsenvironmental cleanup
On the left, a 3D shape that resembles a cuboid with a removed corner and on the right, a single-celled organism
© Sam Kriegman

Most passages are available in three different versions: Level 1 (Grade 3-5), Level 2 (Grade 6-8), and Level 3 (Grade 9-12). Some more complex texts are available only in Level 2 and Level 3. Use the versions that are most appropriate for the students in your class.

Note: The BBC Learning Hub Editorial Team made use of AI tools to create multiple versions of this article, each tailored to different student reading levels. Every version undergoes a thorough review by our BBC Learning editors to ensure accuracy, quality, and appropriateness.

1
Level 1 Reading Passage
Grades: 3-5Lexile Level: 400-700L
Preview
2
Level 2 Reading Passage
Grades: 6-8Lexile Level: 800-1000L
Preview
3
Level 3 Reading Passage
Grades: 9-12Lexile Level: 1000-1200L
Preview
Share: