Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new organelle, dubbed “hemifusome,” inside human cells. The tiny structure plays a crucial role in recycling materials and has the potential to lead to improved treatments for various diseases.
The hemifusome is like a small factory within the cell, where vesicles are created to package and process substances. It helps manage how cells handle their cargo, and when this process goes wrong, it may contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Hemansky-Pudlak syndrome.
Further research could unravel the root causes of these diseases and offer new strategies for treatment. The discovery of hemifusomes provides a fresh perspective on cell health and disease, opening up new avenues for investigation and potential breakthroughs in medical science.
Source: https://newatlas.com/biology/organelle-human-cells