Researchers coat mitochondria with MOFs to preserve energy production

Researchers from the IRCCS Fondazione Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta (FINCB) and Politecnico di Milano have developed a new coating for mitochondria that allows these cellular structures to retain their ability to produce energy. The study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society (JACS), describes the use of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) to coat the surface of mitochondria without disrupting their essential functions.

Preserving Cellular Energy Production

Mitochondria are responsible for generating the energy cells need for essential activities. When these structures malfunction, they can contribute to various diseases, particularly those affecting organs with high energy demands such as the brain and muscles. Effective treatments for these conditions remain limited.

The research team, working through their joint BraiNs laboratory established in 2023, applied tiny amounts of MOF material directly to the mitochondrial surface. According to the study, tests demonstrated that the coated mitochondria continued producing energy, indicating that the modification did not compromise this critical function. The importance of MOFs was highlighted by the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their work in the field.

Potential for Mitochondrial Transplantation

The ability to customize the MOF coating offers potential applications in mitochondrial transplantation, an experimental technique aimed at introducing healthy mitochondria into cells with malfunctioning ones. Professor Pierangelo Metrangolo of Politecnico di Milano stated, "The possibility of modifying the coating now opens up new research prospects: in the future, it will be possible to develop MOF with different characteristics depending on the objective, creating coatings capable of performing specific functions."

Dr. Valeria Tiranti of FINCB emphasized the potential for delivery mechanisms: "A specifically designed coating could, in the future, facilitate this transfer and the interaction between mitochondria and cells." However, the source notes that this application remains unproven, and further research is required to determine if coated mitochondria perform better during transplantation than uncoated ones.

Study Details and Funding

The study was led by PhD candidate Marco D'Amato and funded through the "CALabria HUB per Ricerca Innovativa ed Avanzata (Cal.Hub.Ria)" project, supported under the Ministry of Health's Health Operational Plan (Piano Operativo Salute, POS). The collaboration combines the mitochondrial biology expertise of Dr. Tiranti with the chemistry and materials engineering expertise of Professor Metrangolo.

Why it matters

This development addresses a significant challenge in treating mitochondrial diseases, which are often rare and difficult to manage. By demonstrating that advanced materials can be applied to delicate cellular structures without hindering their function, the research opens a pathway for engineered therapies. While clinical applications are still distant, the ability to tailor coatings for specific biological interactions represents a novel approach to cellular medicine.

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Sources

• sciencedaily.com: Scientists just gave the powerhouses of our cells a high-tech upgrade | ScienceDaily
• timesofindia.indiatimes.com: This is how scientists are upgrading Mitochondria - The Times of India

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