All articles tagged with #chloroplasts
Sea slugs of the species Elysia crispata can steal and utilize chloroplasts from algae to generate energy from sunlight, a process called kleptoplasty, which may serve multiple functions like energy production, camouflage, or defense, revealing complex biological interactions and potential insights into symbiosis and evolution.
Researchers in Japan have successfully created photosynthetic animal cells by injecting chloroplasts from red algae into hamster cells, enabling them to photosynthesize light. This breakthrough, detailed in the journal Proceedings of the Japan Academy, challenges previous assumptions about the incompatibility of chloroplasts and animal cells. The innovation could have practical applications in artificial tissue engineering, potentially solving oxygenation issues in lab-grown tissues. The study found that these "planimal" cells not only produce oxygen but also have a higher growth rate, suggesting additional benefits from the chloroplasts.
Japanese researchers have successfully transplanted photosynthetically active chloroplasts from algae into animal cells, specifically Chinese hamster ovary cells, marking the first time photosynthetic electron transport has been confirmed in animal cells. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in tissue engineering, such as creating artificial organs that can grow in low oxygen environments by incorporating chloroplasts to supply oxygen through light exposure. However, further research is needed to maintain chloroplast functionality in animal cells for extended periods.
Scientists have successfully induced photosynthesis in animal cells by implanting chloroplasts from red algae into Chinese hamster ovary cells, creating "planimal" cells. This breakthrough, reported in the Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, could pave the way for advancements in medical applications and lab-grown meat production. Although the chloroplasts degrade after a few days, the research suggests potential for developing photosynthetic animal cells, which could contribute to a more carbon-neutral society.
Researchers from Hannover and Göttingen have created a high-resolution 3D visualization of the chloroplasts’ copying mechanism, the RNA polymerase PEP, shedding light on the operation and evolutionary history of this vital cellular apparatus crucial for photosynthesis. The 19-subunit PEP complex was visualized at a resolution of 3.5 angstroms, revealing chloroplast-specific features and the unique structure of associated proteins. The study provides insights into the fundamental mechanisms of the photosynthesis machinery’s biogenesis and may have implications for biotechnological applications in the future.
Researchers have assessed the progress and challenges in creating artificial mitochondria and chloroplasts for energy production in synthetic cells. These artificial organelles could potentially enable the development of new organisms or biomaterials. The researchers identified proteins as the most crucial components for molecular rotary machinery, proton transport, and ATP production, which serves as the cell’s primary energy currency. Future studies must investigate how to improve upon the limiting feature of self-adaptation in changing environments to maintain a stable supply of ATP before synthetic cells are self-sustainable.