Successfully induced photosynthesis by administering spinach chloroplast-derived structures into mouse eyes

NUS researchers built LEAF, a particleized thylakoid structure extracted from spinach chloroplasts, to harness plant light reactions in animal tissue.

In cell and mouse-eye experiments, visible light triggered NADPH production, reduced oxidative stress, and improved corneal damage.

The study is the first demonstration of applying plant photosynthetic machinery as a therapy in mammals.

It points to a new light-based treatment approach for dry eye and other inflammatory diseases.