Scientists in Japan have made an exciting discovery that could change the future of lab-grown meat and organ production.
In a new study published in the Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, researchers unveiled that they have successfully created plant-animal hybrid cells capable of generating energy from sunlight, much like plants.
The breakthrough involves combining plant cells with animal cells, specifically hamster cells, to create hybrid cells. While plants use photosynthesis to turn sunlight into energy, animals rely on mitochondria for energy.
By isolating chloroplasts from plants and adding them to hamster cells, the researchers aimed to create cells that could perform photosynthesis and grow into solar-powered tissue.
After two days of cultivation, the researchers observed that the hamster cells had absorbed the chloroplasts. They used a laser to detect chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, and were surprised to see it in the hamster cells, said BGR.
To confirm that the chloroplasts were functioning, they employed a technique called "amplitude modulation fluorometry," which showed that the chloroplasts were indeed performing photosynthesis.
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Breakthrough in Hybrid Cells Could Accelerate Lab-Grown Meat
Professor Sachihiro Matsunaga, one of the authors of the study, shared that this is the first time photosynthetic electron transport has been implanted in animal cells.
The discovery is exciting because it could potentially accelerate the growth of new organs and lab-grown meat. According to the researchers, this solar-powered tissue grew faster than regular hamster cells, indicating its potential for large-scale production of lab-grown tissues.
This innovative research could have a significant impact on lab-grown meat production, an area where scientists have been working hard to make advances. If hybrid cells can generate energy from sunlight, they may help reduce costs and improve the efficiency of creating lab-grown meat and organs, offering a sustainable solution for the future of food and medicine.
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