Researchers from FINCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta and Politecnico di Milano have successfully applied a coating of advanced materials to mitochondria while preserving their core biological function. The work combines expertise in mitochondrial biology with materials chemistry through their joint BraiNs laboratory, established in 2023. Results of the study were published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Mitochondria serve as energy-generating structures within cells and are essential for maintaining cellular function. When these organelles malfunction, they can trigger various diseases, particularly affecting organs with high energy demands such as the brain and muscles. Currently, treatment options for mitochondrial diseases remain limited, prompting researchers to explore innovative approaches.
The team utilized Metal-Organic Frameworks, a category of engineered materials whose properties can be customized for specific applications. The researchers developed a method to apply minimal quantities of these materials directly to mitochondrial surfaces. Testing demonstrated that mitochondria treated with this coating maintained their ability to generate energy, indicating that the technique modifies their outer surfaces without impairing fundamental cellular functions.
A key advantage of the approach is its flexibility in customization. Researchers suggest that differently engineered coatings could eventually serve various therapeutic purposes. One promising application involves mitochondrial transplantation, an experimental procedure designed to introduce functional mitochondria into cells containing damaged or defective mitochondria. Researchers hypothesize that specially designed coatings might enhance the delivery and integration of transplanted mitochondria within recipient cells. However, this application remains theoretical and requires further investigation to demonstrate whether coated mitochondria perform better than uncoated versions during transplantation procedures.
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