Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade

Scientists have created a new coating for mitochondria that preserves their ability to produce energy, potentially opening the door to new treatments for diseases involving these tiny cellular powerhouses. The technology could one day help transfer healthy mitochondria into damaged cells, although its effectiveness in transplantation remains unproven. Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade.

Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade Science News from research organizations Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade A remarkable new way to coat cells’ tiny powerhouses without disrupting their function has been developed, potentially paving the way for new treatments for mitochondrial diseases. The achievement could eventually help researchers develop new approaches to treating diseases caused by malfunctioning mitochondria. The research was conducted by IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB) and Politecnico di Milano through their joint BraiNs laboratory, established in 2023.

The collaboration combines the mitochondrial biology expertise of Dr. Valeria Tiranti (FINCB), a researcher in the Medical Genetics and Neurogenetics Complex Unit (SC) and head of the Fondazione Mariani Centre for Paediatric Mitochondrial Diseases, with the chemistry and materials engineering expertise of Professor Pierangelo Metrangolo (Politecnico di Milano). The findings were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS).

A New Way to Coat the Powerhouses of Our Cells Mitochondria generate the energy that cells need to carry out their essential activities.