Re: [DIYbio] Better Cytoskeletons in Colonial Cells?

I've been wondering about makeshift organic analogues for parts of the body that could be used in combination with robotics (in effect giving a cyborg pet that can be "fed" via solution baths). It's mostly all far-off sci-fi speculation, but one tissue in particular strikes me: muscle.

It's been established that actually growing muscle cells in petri dishes is difficult because of the various surrounding fluids, nutrients and hormones needed. However, would it be possible to transfer the genes for the formation of the cytoskeleton over to a more easily tended colonial protist? (Slime molds already move, but in more of a migration pattern, and a very slow one, at that; I'd be thinking of more tightly knit cells, to allow for a kind of movement like a slug or jellyfish. The only sort I can think of off the top of my head even close to this is something like Volvox, though.)

Thanks in advance for sating my curiosity on the possibilities of modern biotech =)

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