Photosynthetic chimeric stem cells function as mitochondrial batteries.

Photosynthesis-empowered cross-kingdom chimeric stem cells (PCSs) act as a “mitochondrial battery,” using plant thylakoid-based artificial nuclei to enhance mitochondrial transfer and energy restoration.

• Why it matters: Mitochondrial transfer therapies are constrained by poor engraftment, risks of aberrant differentiation, and low transfer efficiency in mesenchymal stem cell donors.
• What they did: Enucleated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were engineered with plant-derived thylakoid-based artificial nuclei and FGF21-encoding messenger RNA, then tested in mouse and porcine wound healing models.
• The result: Light-activated photosynthetic activity enhances mitochondrial transfer, increases FGF21 production, promotes mitochondrial biogenesis, and supports long-term cellular energy homeostasis, accelerating wound repair with repeated administration and no engraftment or aberrant differentiation.

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