The photosynthetic eukaryote Nannochloris eukaryotum as an intracellular machine to control and expand functionality of human cells.

Abstract

To construct an intracellular machine, we sought a symbiotic relationship between a photosynthetic green alga and human cells. Human cells selectively take up the minimal eukaryote Nannochloris eukaryotum and the resulting symbionts are able to survive and proliferate. Host cells can utilize N. eukaryotum's photosynthetic apparatus for survival, and expression of cellular vascular endothelial growth factor can be controlled with input of photonic energy. This seemingly rare spontaneous association provides an opportunity to fabricate light-controlled, intracellular machines.