Author: University of Tokyo (UTokyo)
Published: 2024/11/05
Post type: Research, Study, Analysis – Peer Reviewed: Yeah
Issue: Disability and Climate Change (Publications Database)
Page content: Synopsis Introduction Main article
Synopsis: Researchers at the University of Tokyo combine algae chloroplasts with hamster cells.
Why it is important: This paper from the University of Tokyo presents groundbreaking research that successfully integrated algal chloroplasts into animal cells, allowing them to perform photosynthesis. This achievement is significant as it was previously thought to be impossible for animal cells to maintain functional chloroplasts. The study demonstrates that these hybrid “planimal” cells can maintain photosynthetic activity for at least two days, opening up interesting possibilities in tissue engineering and the development of artificial organs. By potentially solving the problem of oxygen deficiency in lab-grown tissues, this research could revolutionize fields such as regenerative medicine and sustainable food production. Furthermore, the concept of creating partially plant-like animal cells suggests innovative approaches to reducing carbon emissions and achieving a more environmentally friendly society. Disabled world.
Introduction
According to new research out of Japan, chloroplasts from energy-producing algae have been inserted into hamster cells, allowing them to carry out light photosynthesis. It was previously thought that it was not possible to combine chloroplasts (chlorophyll-containing structures in the cells of plants and algae) with animal cells, and that chloroplasts would not survive or function. However, the results showed that photosynthetic action continued for at least two days. This technique could be useful for engineering artificial tissues. Tissues may have difficulty growing due to lack of oxygen, but adding cells with chloroplast could allow oxygen and energy to be supplied through light exposure and photosynthesis.
Main article
Would you like to use solar energy?
What if, like plants or algae, simply lying in the sun could help you get energy, and not just from all the vitamin D? It may seem like science fiction, but some animals have already taken advantage of this clever trick. Giant clams, for example, live in a symbiotic relationship with algae. Algae contain chloroplasts and can therefore photosynthesize light into food and oxygen. While the clams provide a home for the algae, the algae provide energy to help their friendly hosts thrive.
However, unlike plants and algae, animal cells do not contain chloroplasts. That is until now, as researchers have shown that it is possible to functionally combine the two.
“To our knowledge, this is the first reported detection of photosynthetic electron transport in chloroplasts implanted in animal cells,” said Professor Sachihiro Matsunaga of the University of Tokyo, corresponding author of the research paper. Photosynthetic electron transport generates chemical energy and is necessary for numerous cellular functions in plants and algae. “We thought that chloroplasts would be digested by animal cells within a few hours of their introduction. However, what we discovered was that they continued to function for up to two days and that electron transport from photosynthetic activity occurred.”
The team inserted red algae chloroplasts into cultured cells derived from hamsters. The researchers examined the structure of chloroplasts inside cells using several imaging techniques, including confocal microscopy, super-resolution microscopy, and electron microscopy. They also measured and confirmed that electron transport from photosynthetic activity occurred by using pulses of light (a technique called pulse amplitude modulation fluorometry).
“We believe this work will be useful for cellular tissue engineering,” Matsunaga said. “Laboratory-grown tissues, such as artificial organs, artificial meat, and sheets of skin, are made of multiple layers of cells. However, there is the problem that they cannot increase in size due to hypoxia (low oxygen levels) within of the tissue, which “Prevents cell division. By mixing the implanted cells with chloroplast, oxygen could be supplied to the cells through photosynthesis, through light irradiation, thus improving conditions within the tissue to allow growth,” he explained.
The team continues its research into creating “planimal” cells that can provide the beneficial characteristics of plants to animals. In this study, animal cells containing chloroplasts were found to experience a higher rate of cell growth, suggesting that chloroplasts provided a carbon source (fuel) for host cells. The researchers suggest that future studies could investigate the processes involved in the exchange of substances between the host cell and chloroplasts, as well as what additional substances are produced.
Matsunaga said:
“We hope that planimal cells will be innovative cells, which in the future can help us achieve a ‘green transformation’ towards a more carbon-neutral society. We will continue to develop innovative biotechnologies with the aim of realizing a sustainable society and reducing emissions of carbon dioxide.”
Papers
“Incorporation of photosynthetically active algal chloroplasts into mammalian cell cultures towards photosynthesis in animals”, Proceedings of the Academy of Japan, Series B, Physical and Biological Sciences: October 31, 2024.
Attribution/Source(s):
This peer-reviewed publication was selected for publication by the editors of Disabled World due to its important relevance to the disability community. Originally written by University of Tokyo (UTokyo)and published on 11/05/2024, content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For more details or clarifications, University of Tokyo (UTokyo) It can be contacted at u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranty or endorsement related to this item.
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Cite this page (APA): University of Tokyo (UTokyo). (2024, November 5). Researchers develop planimal cells: hybrid animal cells powered by solar energy. Disabled world. Retrieved November 5, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/emergency/climate/planimal.php
Permanent link: Researchers develop planimal cells: hybrid animal cells powered by solar energy: Researchers at the University of Tokyo combine algae chloroplasts with hamster cells.
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