Revolutionizing Organelle Study: Mitochondria transplantation with Dr. Gäbelein

In this intriguing episode, we welcome Dr. Gäbelein, a scientist at the forefront of cell biology, as he introduces us to a revolutionary approach for manipulating organelle structures within single live cells. This technique, based on FluidFM, involves atomic force microscopy, optical microscopy, and nanofluidics to achieve precision in force and volume control and provides real-time examination capabilities.Dr. Gäbelein walks us through the process of developing this innovative technology, highlighting the role of specially designed probes that facilitate minimal invasive entry into cells. He further elaborates on how optimizing fluid flow allows for the extraction of specific organelles.Dr. Gäbelein shares fascinating findings from his study, particularly the transformation of mitochondria into a pearls-on-a-string phenotype when single or a specific number of mitochondria are extracted. He also explains how this process is calcium independent, leading to isolated, intact mitochondria.Dr. Gäbelein sheds light on the successful transplantation of mitochondria into host cells, and how these fuse into the host cells' mitochondrial network. He shares intriguing results from a study involving the transplantation of healthy and drug-impaired mitochondria into primary keratinocytes and the monitoring of mitochondrial subpopulation rescue.In conclusion, Dr. Gäbelein underscores the immense potential this approach holds for the study of organelle physiology and homeostasis, mechanobiology, synthetic biology, and therapeutic applications. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in cell biology and the future of biomedical research.Keywords: Organelle Transplantation, Mitochondria, FluidFM, Atomic Force Microscopy, Nanofluidics, Cell Biology, Mechanobiology, Synthetic Biology.doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.3001576