{
  "id": 17660,
  "title": "Oil droplets remodel themselves, swallow their surroundings like living cells",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/01/oil-droplets-remodel-themselves-swallow-their-surroundings-like",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-08-01T18:00:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-07-oil-droplets-remodel-swallow-cells.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Researchers at NYU have demonstrated that microscopic oil droplets in water can morph into complex shapes and engulf their surroundings, a behavior typically associated with living cells. Published in Nature Communications, the findings reveal that oil droplets combined with soap-like molecules can change shape in intricate ways, mimicking morphogenetic processes without the need for genetic or protein-based machinery. Lead author Florent Fessler noted that these droplets can reshape themselves into flower-like structures, dendritic forms, dumbbells, discs, and cups, and control over their concentration or temperature allows for reversible shape transitions. Additionally, the droplets demonstrate a form of cellular uptake, folding inwards and trapping surrounding fluid, a process akin to macropinocytosis. While the study does not suggest the creation of artificial life, it presents a controlled model for understanding the physical principles behind cellular shape-shifting and could inspire the development of self-adapting materials and smart drug delivery systems.",
  "summary": "NYU researchers have made microscopic oil droplets in water do something usually reserved for living cells: change shape in complex, controllable ways and even engulf their surroundings.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}