Groundbreaking Discovery Reveals Cyanobacteria Network in Ocean Ecosystems

Photo byPhoto by Michael Schiffer on Unsplash

Three years ago, researchers from the University of Córdoba made an unexpected discovery while examining marine cyanobacteria under an electron microscope. They identified membrane nanotubes, structures previously seen in other bacteria but never in cyanobacteria, which are crucial for oxygen production on Earth. This discovery led to an extensive study published in Science Advances.

The study reveals that these membrane nanotubes allow cyanobacteria to transfer materials directly between cells through a bridge-like connection. This finding challenges the previous notion that cyanobacteria operate in isolation. Instead, it suggests they function as a network, interacting with each other. This is significant because cyanobacteria, the most abundant photosynthetic organisms, play a critical role in oceanic ecosystems and life on Earth.

The research involved a multidisciplinary team, including experts from various institutions such as the University of Córdoba, the Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They used techniques like fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy to observe the nanotubes and confirm that material exchange occurs among cyanobacteria of the same lineage and between different genera. This was verified through laboratory experiments and natural ocean samples.

The findings raise new questions about the role of these nanotubes. Researchers are exploring whether substance transfer is a support mechanism or a competitive strategy. They also investigate what substances can be exchanged and whether the mechanism relates to environmental nutrient availability.

This research provides crucial insights into the behaviour of cyanobacteria, one of the oldest life forms on Earth, and highlights their importance in ecosystems and fundamental biological processes.