Nanocytes

Description

Nanocytes is a very widespread, if not universal, technologic enhancement of the human body. As the name suggests, it consists out of cell-sized nanomachines integrated in persons body. Nanocytes live in symbiosis with their human host, mostly found in blood vessels and lymph nodes.
This technological enhancement provides support in multiple cellular function, health support, integration of other technology and unlocking mutation potential.

Integration in body
Nanocytes are found in all tissues of the human body but the greatest part resides in the circulation system, both in the vascular and lymphatic vessels.
At the the introduction of nanocytes, specialized structures form in lymph nodes next to ganglions of the nervous system. These organs are called nanodes and have different functions:

• Deconstruction of defect or redundant nanocytes
• Production of new nanocytes
• Connection with periferal and cental nervous sytem

Nanodes also assimilate host cells to read DNA and produces nanocytes with host DNA and correspondend antigens. Communication with host tissues, cells and nervous system is facilitated by synthesis of proteins and hormones. Communication between nanocytes happens wirelessly. In pregnancy, nanocytes enter the fetus through the placenta after 12 weeks of pregnancy. The first nanodes form in the thymus.
In the case of in vitro pregnancy or development, nanocytes are added from a donor, preferably parents or relatives.
Nanocytes are maintained with a mix of biological matter, minerals and micronutrients and specialized nanoserum. Nanocytes can repurpose tissue matter to a small extent to maintain nanocyte function, as long it doesn't impair host function. Nanocytes mostly use nanoserum as fuel, which can not be produced by nanocytes and thus must be ingested by the host to keep up nanocyte function.
Failure to do so leads to 'nanocyte hunger' which first diminishes nanocyte function, then halting of enhancements, support and eventually to a possible fatal rejection.

Integration in the Human Empire
Nanocytes were developed in pre-Methantrope times, as part of a military effort to enhance soldiers. The project was very successful and expanded to non-soldier personel. During interbellum times, the project went dormant, but the nanocytes spread naturally. This was unintentional and caused widespread nanocyte hunger.
After the establishment of the Human Empire by the Methantropes, nanocytes were declared mandatory. Thus, having nanocytes or getting nanocyte induction is required to enter the Human Empire.

Functions
A summary of the functions of nanocytes introduced in a human host, is a complex matter. In broad strokes, nanocytes enhance multiple cellular function, homeostasis and enable integration of other technology and unlocking mutation potential.

Nanocytes can support cells with cell membrane regeneration, DNA-restoration, storage and transport of essential nutrients and regulating levels of glucose, sodium and so on in surrounding tissues or bodily fluids.

Nanocyte can act as storage for essential nutrients, hormones or even drugs or other enhancements. The nanocytes innately form a connected network, which can serve as a proxy signal conductor. This can make reactions and processing faster, even enhancing senses. Immunity is also improved, as nanocytes can remove pathogens, toxins or other harmful substances. The nanocyte network can also tweak the immune response and prevent allergies or other undesired immune responses.
Nanocytes can also store oxygen (or even filter it from the environment) and help maintain a constant body temperature, greatly enhancing survivability.

The mostly abiological nature of nanocytes enables easy integration with other technologies. The widespread integration of neuralink technology is good evidence of this. Nanocytes can also help with medical technology as medication or surgery.
The nanocyte network can also easily relay all sorts of information to compatible devices or can be somewhat controlled by specialized devices, although this is severely regulated. Nanocyte also have an important role in security, since individual nanocytes networks can be surveilled and monitored. This data is heavily encrypted and promised by the Human Empire only to be used for governmental or jurisdictional purpose.

Lastly, as nanocytes can enable considerable changes in the human host, mutations can be enabled in certain situations or permissions. These range from minor alteration as eye color to extra limbs or generation of (semi)biological matter.
In the strictest sense, "Callings" can be considered a mutation, although these are very rare and restricted in most of the Human Empire.