Scientists have found a way to "revive" cells.

Damage to mitochondria, the internal energy source of cells, is one of the main factors leading to their destruction. Swiss scientists from Basel University have determined that the transplantation of healthy mitochondria into dying cells restores their viability.

Demokrat.az reports that the study published in the journal "Nature" opens new horizons for the restoration of energy metabolism at the cellular level.

It is known that mitochondria are responsible for producing ATP, considered the "fuel" of the cell, and their failure causes cell death (apoptosis or necrosis). Researchers have succeeded in placing healthy mitochondria into damaged neurons and cells of the retina via a special system.

The most important aspect of this scientific innovation is the creation of the "molecular targeting" system. Thanks to this, the efficiency of delivering mitochondria to target cells has increased up to 90 percent. These "power plants" entering the cell retain their functionality and immediately start producing energy. In trials conducted on cells from patients with visual impairment, this method was observed to increase the chances of cell survival by 25 percent.

Experiments on mice were also successful. In animals with damaged optic nerves, the transplantation of mitochondria ensured the protection of nerve cells and the restoration of light-sensitive structures.

Experts believe that this method could play a key role in the treatment of many neurodegenerative and ophthalmological diseases in the future. However, it is considered essential to conduct additional safety tests before wide application of the method in humans.

In other words, scientists have found a way to revive dying cells by replacing their internal "batteries" with new ones.