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

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

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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

  1. Coale, T. H. et al. Science 384, 217–222 (2024).

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  2. Thompson, A. W. et al. Science 337,1546–1550 (2012).

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  3. Cornejo-Castillo, F. et al. Nature Commun. 7, 11071 (2016).

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