Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade
Scientists have developed a technique to coat mitochondria with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to protect them without hindering their energy-producing functions. This innovation could lead to new treatments for rare mitochondrial diseases that affect energy-intensive organs.
Why it matters
This breakthrough provides a potential pathway for treating currently incurable mitochondrial disorders by stabilizing these vital cellular structures.
Scientists have developed a way to coat mitochondria, the tiny structures that produce energy inside our cells, with advanced materials without interfering with their function. 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
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