{
  "id": 2261174,
  "title": "Researchers have successfully engineered plant cells to produce animal proteins, sparking hopes for a new type of food that combines the best of both worlds.\n\nA team of scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, has genetically modified plant cells to produce a type of protein found in animal muscle tissue.\n\nThe breakthrough could potentially give rise to a new class of food products that are both sustainable and nutritious.\n\nIn their experiment, the researchers used a gene editing tool called CRISPR-Cas9 to insert a gene that codes for a protein called myosin, which is a key component of animal muscle tissue.\n\nThey then tested the modified plant cells to see if they could produce the protein.\n\nTo their surprise, the plant cells were able to produce the protein, which was found to have a similar structure and function to animal-derived myosin.\n\nThe researchers used lettuce cells in their experiment, and were able to produce a protein that makes up about 10% of the protein found in animal muscle tissue.\n\nWhile the experiment is still in its early stages, the researchers believe that it could have significant implications for the future of food production.\n\nOne potential application of the technology is the development of plant-based meat alternatives that are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than traditional animal-based products.\n\nThe researchers envision a future where plant cells are engineered to produce a range of animal proteins, including those found in meat, dairy, and eggs.\n\nThis could potentially reduce the environmental impact of animal agriculture, which is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation.\n\nThe study was published in the journal Nature on February 16, 2023.\n\nThe research team was led by Dr. Jennifer Doudna, a professor of molecular and cell biology at UC Berkeley.\n\nThe team’s discovery has sparked excitement among food scientists and sustainability experts, who see the potential for plant-based foods to play a major role in reducing the environmental impact of the food industry.\n\nAs the global population continues to grow, finding sustainable ways to produce food will become increasingly important.\n\nThe development of plant-based foods that are both nutritious and sustainable could be a key part of the solution.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/story-2261174",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T22:40:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/science/science_general/1273971.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": null,
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}