Researchers Give Animal Cells the Ability to Photosynthesize for the First Time

Japanese researchers successfully transplanted functional chloroplasts from algae into animal cells, maintaining photosynthetic activity for two days. This marks the first confirmed instance of photosynthetic electron transport in animal cells with transplanted chloroplasts. The development could lead to new possibilities in tissue engineering, potentially allowing for oxygen supply to artificial organs or lab-grown meat through light exposure. Further research is needed to extend the chloroplasts' functionality and quantify oxygen generation within the animal cells.