Researchers have discovered that a complex single-celled alga, identified as having a unique cellular structure named the nitroplast, can convert nitrogen from the atmosphere into essential nutrients. This finding challenges the previous belief that only simple microbes could perform this vital chemical conversion. The research, which began nearly two decades ago, stems from the detection of a persistent DNA fragment in various ocean samples. If engineered for agricultural use, this capability could enable plants to grow without the environmental cost of traditional fertilizers, marking a significant advancement in biotechnology and sustainable farming.
It was long thought that only simple microbes had mastered a chemical conversion reaction that helps create some of the essential building blocks of life.
This is the story of how a group of international scientists solved a remarkable microscopic riddle.
The ability to engineer plants that could snatch nitrogen out of the air and use it to grow without any of the pollution, energy, or expense that current fertilizers require.
The DNA also appeared to have a special and rare function - taking nitrogen gas from the surroundings, which living things need to survive.
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