First-of-its-kind study uses light to change compounds in living cells [Video]

Scientists have successfully created chemical bonds inside cells using light or photocatalysis, according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

For the first time, scientists demonstrated exogenous styryl aryl azides (chemical compounds) transform into indoles (organic compounds) within living mammalian cells using photocatalytic conditions. But what does all this really mean?

The scientists integrated ‘non-native’ photosensitizers into mammalian cells. These substances can absorb green or blue light and instigate artificial chemical reactions within cellular environments.  

The process has been used for making indoles. Simply put, these are chemical compounds involved in significant biological reactions.

A process similar to photosynthesis

They questioned if using light to convert certain compounds could help perform chemical reactions within living cells. Specifically, they …