The photosynthetic eukaryote Nannochloris eukaryotum as an intracellular machine to control and expand functionality of human cells.
To construct an intracellular machine, we sought a symbiotic relationship between a photosynthetic green alga and human cells. Human cells selectively take up the minimal eukaryote Nannochloris eukaryotum and the resulting symbionts are able to survive and proliferate. Host cells can utilize N. eukaryotum's photosynthetic apparatus for survival, and expression of cellular vascular endothelial growth factor can be controlled with input of photonic energy. This seemingly rare spontaneous association provides an opportunity to fabricate light-controlled, intracellular machines.
Ophthalmology, Columbia University Medical Center , New York, New York 10032, United States.
Cara K
CK
Black
Doina M
DM
Mihai
Ilyas
I
Washington
D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000502:physiology; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D050997:Nanomedicine; D010788:Photosynthesis; D055213:Retinal Pigment Epithelium / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D013559:Symbiosis / Q000502:physiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A