What if, like plants or algae, simply being exposed to the sun could provide energy? This might no longer be science fiction… Japanese researchers recently succeeded in inserting chloroplastschloroplastsa sort of “solar panels” for plants, in hamster cells to make them capable of using sunlight.
A first in the world of chemistry
« To our knowledge, this is the first time that real photosynthetic electron transport has been observed in chloroplasts integrated into animal cells. », Explains Professor Sachihiro Matsunaga, from the University of Tokyo. In other words, this is the first time that we have seen animal cells carrying out photosynthesis, that is to say, capturing the energy of light to turn it into “fuel”.
Researchers have reproduced photosynthesis artificially
To arrive at these results, published in Proceedings of the Japan Academythe team introduced chloroplasts from red algae, Cyanidioschyzon merolaein hamster cells cultured in the laboratory. To verify that the photosynthesisphotosynthesis took place, the researchers tracked down the chlorophyllchlorophyllthe pigment that captures light, and measured the photosynthetic activity of cells hybridshybrids thanks to a technique that makes it possible to detect the movements of electrons, the current that powers photosynthesis.
From surprise to surprise!
They were then able to see that the chloroplasts did indeed seem active. Concretely, they produced energy from sunlight, like plants. This photosynthetic activity lasted about two days. After this period, the membranes of the chloroplasts, the thylacoïdesthylacoïdesbegan to deteriorate from the inside, explains the study.
The real surprise was that the chloroplast-boosted hamster cells started growing faster than regular cells. In addition to providing light energy, these chloroplasts provide carbon, the basic element of cells, which promotes their growth.
Potentially revolutionary applications
For science and medicine, this kind of manipulation could change a lot of things, the researchers explain.
« We believe that this work opens new portesportes for cell and tissue engineeringexplains Matsunaga. Tissues composed of many layers of cells often have a problem ofhypoxiahypoxiathat is to say low rate ofoxygenoxygenin the center, which prevents cells from dividing and growing. By inserting cells with chloroplasts, photosynthesis could supply oxygen where it is lacking, optimizing conditions for better tissue growth. »
So, soon humans capable of photosynthesis? Maybe not right away! But this research shows us that the biotechnologybiotechnology still has many secrets to reveal to us.
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