Gathering coil

Gathering Coils were engineered biotech weapons, described as a "semi-species" by the Thirteenth Doctor.

Coils resembled cables and wires of various sizes, acting like tentacles, which could gather data. At least some coils also had the ability to plant DNA bombs. A number of Gathering Coils were able to gather to create one large, more polyvalent creature, though such a swarm could be de-activated with a large electric shock.

Tzim-Sha used one such swarm in order to locate a trophy to take back to his planet, despite this being against his species' rules. It was later de-activated by Grace O'Brien at the cost of her life. (TV: The Woman Who Fell to Earth)