Light-activated protein may help normalize dysfunction in cells, study shows
New research from the University of Cincinnati is showing early indications that light could be used as a treatment for certain ailments, including cancer. Researchers from UC, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and University at Buffalo published the results of their study showing light-activated proteins can help normalize dysfunction in cells in the journal. Nature Communication July 25. Research findings Research centers on the function of mitochondria, the organelles in cells that act as the cell’s “power generator” and source of energy. Organelles are small specialized structures that perform various jobs in the cell. Jiajie Diao, PhD, one of the study’s authors, says hundreds of mitochondria are constantly coming together (a process called fusion) and dividing into smaller pieces (a process called fission) to keep them in balance in healthy cells. But when mitochondria don’t function properly, an imbalance of these fission and fusion processes occurs. This imbalance can