DNA isn't the only builder in the biological world -- there's also a mysterious bioelectric layer directing cells to work together to grow organs, systems and bodies, says biologist Michael Levin. Sharing unforgettable and groundbreaking footage of two-headed worms, he introduces us to xenobots -- the world's first living robots, created in his lab by cracking the electrical code of cells -- and discusses what this discovery may mean for the future of medicine, the environment and even life itself. (This conversation, hosted by TED's Chris Anderson, was recorded June 2020.)

Michael Levin: The electrical blueprints that orchestrate life

The electrical blueprints that orchestrate life

DNA is not the sole architect of life—bioelectricity directs cells to form organs, bodies, and even correct abnormalities.

Xenobots, the world's first living robots, evolved in a computer and made from frog cells, hint at regenerative medicine's future.

Unlocking bioelectric codes could revolutionize biomedicine, enabling us to reshape body patterns for healing and regeneration.