PLANT-ANIMAL HYBRID CELLS MAKE SOLAR-POWERED TISSUES, ORGANS, OR MEAT

Summary from the TLDR newsletter

Scientists in Japan have created hybrid plant-animal cells - animal cells that can gain energy from sunlight like plants. The team inserted chloroplasts sourced from red algae into animal cells cultured from hamsters and found that the cells continued to perform photosynthetic functions for at least two days. The cells grew faster than usual when cultured alongside chloroplasts, suggesting that the chloroplasts were providing a new carbon source. The study's findings could have major benefits for lab-grown tissues, such as artificial organs, artificial meat, and skin sheets.