A breakthrough experiment has showcased the ability of chloroplasts, essential for photosynthesis in plants, to function inside animal cells. Red algal chloroplasts were introduced into cells derived from Chinese hamster ovaries (Cricetulus griseus), where they remained active for 48 hours, converting light into energy. This achievement represents a step forward in efforts to recreate the symbiotic processes seen in nature, offering potential applications in scientific engineering. The project aims to harness photosynthesis in non-plant organisms for diverse purposes.

Chloroplast Integration into Animal Cells

According to the study published in Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, the research was led by Sachihiro Matsunaga, a biologist at the University of Tokyo. His team selected resilient chloroplasts from red algae capable of thriving in extreme conditions, such as volcanic hot springs. These organelles were isolated using a centrifuge and a controlled process that avoided direct damage to animal cells. Instead of piercing cell membranes, the technique involved modifying the culture medium to prompt animal cells to engulf the chloroplasts naturally.

Functionality and Challenges

A Scientific American report confirm that the transplanted chloroplasts demonstrated electron transport—a vital component of photosynthesis—for two days before disintegrating. Past attempts had only succeeded in maintaining chloroplast function for a few hours. However, challenges persist, as chloroplasts require proteins that animal cells cannot naturally produce. Werner Kühlbrandt, a structural biologist at the Max Planck Institute of Biophysics, highlighted the absence of genes needed for protein synthesis and transport, which accelerates chloroplast degradation.

Future Applications

Plans to incorporate photosynthesis-maintaining genes into animal cells are underway, as stated by Matsunaga. This research aims to create photosynthesizing materials for applications such as carbon dioxide capture or oxygen-rich organoid growth. Experts like Jef D. Boeke, a cell biologist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, believe these advancements may pave the way for innovative uses in biotechnology. Solar-powered humans, however, remain speculative, requiring vastly more surface area than human bodies can provide.

SpaceX is set to launch its Starship rocket for its seventh flight test on January 13, with liftoff planned at 5 p.m. EST from the Starbase facility in South Texas. The 400-foot-tall reusable rocket has been designed to support missions to the Moon and Mars. Reportedly, for the first time, the mission aims to deploy payloads in space, marking a significant milestone in the rocket’s testing phase. The launch webcast will begin approximately 35 minutes before the scheduled liftoff.

Mission Objectives and Payload Details

According to report from space.com, this test will feature the deployment of ten mock satellites. These are said to mimic the size and weight of next-generation Starlink satellites, as part of a preparatory exercise for future satellite deployment missions. The satellites, as noted, will follow the same suborbital trajectory as the rocket, with splashdown targeted in the Indian Ocean. Starship’s 50-metre upper stage, referred to as “Ship,” is also expected to return via a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean, consistent with previous test flights.

Reusability and Booster Retrieval

As reported by space.com, the Super Heavy booster used in this mission will include a previously flown Raptor engine, marking the first reuse of hardware in a Starship flight. Efforts will also be made to repeat the catch of the Super Heavy booster using Starbase’s launch tower, a manoeuvre that was successfully executed in October 2024 but faced challenges in November’s test due to communication issues.

Upcoming Launch Schedule

The test coincides with an active period in space exploration. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is preparing for its debut on January 10, and a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission carrying private moon landers is slated for January 15. These developments underscore the rapid advancements being made in the commercial space sector.

A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the Caucasus Mountains where an ancient Bronze Age settlement, Dmanisis Gora, has been mapped using drone technology. This site, believed to be over 3,000 years old, reveals new insights into the evolution of large-scale settlements during the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. Spanning an area far larger than initially expected, the research offers a fresh perspective on ancient urbanism and interactions between sedentary and mobile communities.

Drone Mapping Reveals Extensive Settlement

As reported by Science Daily, the project led by Dr. Nathaniel Erb-Satullo, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Science at Cranfield Forensic Institute and Dimitri Jachvliani, co-director at the Georgian National Museum, employed drone technology to create high-resolution models of the site. The drone, equipped with advanced imaging tools, captured nearly 11,000 photographs, which were later used to generate detailed maps of the settlement. This method allowed the identification of fortification walls, graves and other structural remnants spread across a vast area.

The site, originally thought to be much smaller, was found to include a 1-kilometre-long defensive wall protecting an outer settlement. This finding significantly alters the understanding of the region’s settlement patterns, which were influenced by interactions with pastoral communities and seasonal population dynamics.

Integrating Modern and Historical Data

To further analyse the settlement, drone-generated images were compared with declassified satellite imagery from the Cold War era. This comparison highlighted changes in the landscape over decades, distinguishing ancient features from those impacted by modern agricultural activities. Geographic Information System (GIS) software was employed to integrate and analyse the diverse datasets, revealing patterns in the site’s expansion and usage over time.

Dr. Erb-Satullo noted to Science Daily, that these findings offer invaluable data on population density, agricultural practices and the broader socio-economic landscape of ancient societies. Continued excavations have uncovered artefacts such as pottery shards and animal remains, shedding more light on the lives of the people who inhabited Dmanisis Gora. This research underscores the potential of drone technology in unearthing and documenting historical sites on an unprecedented scale