Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade
Researchers have developed a technique to coat mitochondria with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to protect them without hindering their energy-producing functions. This breakthrough could lead to new therapeutic strategies for rare mitochondrial diseases.
Why it matters
This advancement in bio-engineering provides a potential pathway for treating previously incurable genetic conditions that affect cellular energy production.
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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