A team at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has developed a pioneering robotic nanoprobe that enables the precise extraction of individual mitochondria from living cells. This advancement, led by Prof. Richard Gu Hongri from the Division of Integrative Systems and Design, marks a significant breakthrough in research on therapies for neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to several chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome and neurodegenerative disorders. Traditionally, extracting a single mitochondrion without damaging the cell or relying on fluorescent markers has posed a formidable challenge for researchers. The newly developed automated robotic nanoprobe presents a solution, capable of navigating within living cells and sensing metabolic signals in real time.
Innovative Technology for Cell Manipulation
This nanoprobe is the first of its kind to combine sensors and actuators at its tip, allowing for autonomous navigation within cells. The device detects reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS), which are by-products of mitochondrial metabolism, using nanoelectrodes located at the tip. Once the probe identifies a mitochondrion based on these signals, it activates tiny dielectrophoretic “nanotweezers” to capture the mitochondrion, enabling extraction with minimal disturbance.
The significance of this technology extends beyond the extraction process. The research team has established a robotic workflow that standardizes each step, from approaching the target cell to safely withdrawing the extracted mitochondrion. This automated system not only reduces invasiveness but also allows for repeated sampling of the same cell, thereby enhancing the reliability of results.
Confirming Mitochondrial Health and Future Implications
To validate the functionality of the extracted mitochondria, the researchers employed quantitative PCR to analyze the mitochondrial genetic content. Remarkably, the transplanted mitochondria fused with host cells and displayed typical behaviors of healthy organelles. This ability to return to the cell and maintain functionality underscores the potential of this technology in advancing research on mitochondrial dysfunction.
According to Prof. Gu, “Researchers can now sample mitochondria from single living cells without the confounding effects of fluorescent labels. These samples can then be combined with genomics or biochemical assays, providing new insights for minimally invasive surgical research on mitochondrial dysfunction diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic syndrome.”
Looking ahead, the team plans to enhance the probe’s capabilities, expanding the library of label-free targets and integrating post-extraction analytics. The implications of this research are vast, paving the way for transformative advancements in cellular research and therapeutic applications.
This study, which was recently published in the esteemed journal Science Advances, involved collaboration with experts from the Southern University of Science and Technology, the City University of Hong Kong, and the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The multidisciplinary efforts underscore the importance of collaborative innovation in addressing complex biomedical challenges.
