Scientists Engineer Photosynthetic Hamster Cells with Solar Power

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.