Scientists discover first algae that can fix nitrogen — thanks to a tiny cell structure

2 min read Original article ↗

A newly discovered ‘organelle’ that converts nitrogen gas into a useful form could pave the way for engineered plants that require less fertilizer.

Researchers have discovered a type of organelle, a fundamental cellular structure, that can turn nitrogen gas into a form that is useful for cell growth.

Nature 628, 702 (2024)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-01046-z

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 23 April 2024: An earlier version of this article omitted a reference to a previous study describing a genetic analysis of when ancestors of algae and bacteria entered a symbiotic relationship.

References

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