한미 연구진 "스스로 광합성하는 인공세포 제작 성공"
South Korean and U.S. researchers developed artificial cells that provide sustainable energy through photosynthesis.
The fundamental unit of life with light... created by the team... can be used for medical experiments to cure diseases.
Our Ko Roonhee explains further.
A team of Korean and U.S. researchers worked together to create photosynthetic cells...according to Korea's Science Ministry on Monday.
Researchers said protein for photosynthesis from plants and protein for photoconversion from bacteria were combined to create an artificial mitochondria, the energy powerhouse of cells.
The powerhouse can create adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, which is the essential energy carrier of cells.
The joint research team emphasized that the artificial photosynthesis harnessing cell not only resembles living cells but also functions like them.
"This unprecedented process mimics a plant's ability to transform light into energy, which is photosynthesis, and bacteria reacting to light. Photosynthetic cells create energy and this energy changes the structure of the cell."
Researchers say the new cells can lead to more experiments at the cellular level in a free environment.
"The opportunity to treat diseases one cell at a time by putting synthetic organelles, into a cell, changing the way cell behaves physiologically."
According to the team's study published on the journal Nature Biotechnology, artificial cells can carry out metabolic activities for up to a month...depending on external environments
Ko Roon-hee, Arirang News.
