A research team led by the University of Tokyo has successfully transplanted photosynthetically active chloroplasts extracted from algae into cultured hamster cells. This technology holds the potential to confer photosynthetic capabilities to animal cells and is set to be published in an international scientific journal on October 31, 2024.
Creation of Animal Cells with Photosynthetically Active Chloroplasts
Source: University of Tokyo Press Release
https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/information/category/press/11214.html
A Breakthrough in Cell Culture Technology
Photosynthesis is a process unique to plants and algae, but in this study, researchers confirmed that chloroplasts transplanted into hamster cultured cells can maintain photosynthetic activity for at least two days. This technology represents a novel approach that does not rely on traditional methods to introduce chloroplasts into animal cells.
The innovative chloroplast transplantation method is expected to enable the creation of animal cells capable of photosynthesis. Specifically, this technique allows animal cells to produce oxygen while reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Utilizing clean energy from light may lead to decreased costs in cell culture and reduced environmental impact.
This research has been conducted with support from JST CREST and is poised to provide new insights for the international research community. The development of photosynthetically active animal cells is anticipated to be an important step toward the sustainable use of biological resources.
Hamster Cultured Cells (CHO Cells) with Transplanted Chloroplasts from Algae
Blue-green indicates the cell nucleus, light green shows intracellular organelles with membrane structures, and magenta represents chloroplasts. It can be observed that there are 2 to 6 magenta chloroplasts near the central blue cell nucleus or in the cytoplasm. Blue chloroplast DNA can also be seen in the central part of the chloroplasts.
Source: University of Tokyo Press Release
https://www.k.u-tokyo.ac.jp/information/category/press/11214.html