Articles tagged with Cyanobacteria
A new study at Michigan State University has identified a cyanobacterial gene family that helps control carbon dioxide fixation in photosynthesis. The discovery also opens doors to designing systems for sustainable biotech production and increasing energy yield from photosynthesis.
Researchers have created a two-species microbial consortium to improve the performance of biophotovoltaics, generating a power density of 150 mW·m-2. The system can stably operate for over 40 days, setting a new record for BPV longevity and power output per device.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a way to produce butanol, a fourth-generation biofuel, using solar energy, water, and CO2 without the need for solar cells. The microorganisms can efficiently capture the sun's energy and bind to carbon dioxide in the air.
Researchers found similar structures in rare bacteria and modern cyanobacteria, suggesting the process is older than thought. This challenges the traditional view that oxygenic photosynthesis evolved from anoxygenic photosynthesis a billion years ago.
Multicellular cyanobacteria have developed cell junctions that allow for the exchange of nutrients and messengers across cell boundaries. The channels are composed of a protein tube sealed with a plug at both ends, and have a five-armed protein structure similar to a camera aperture.
The OmCyn cyanobacterium has been found to have a worldwide distribution, hidden by its symbiotic relationship with a dinoflagellate. The discovery represents an ecologically important group of cyanobacteria and suggests that other undiscovered cryptic cyanobacterial lineages may exist.
A team of scientists at Arizona State University has determined the structure of a massive photosynthetic supercomplex, uncovering crucial details about its functionality. The complex, composed of over 700 molecules, is unique in size and complexity, with 591 chlorophylls bound within.
A new study detects the production of neurotoxins by cyanobacteria in Lake Erie's central basin, a region previously thought to be less prone to harmful algal blooms. The research finds that specific strains of Dolichospermum and microcystis can produce toxins capable of attacking the central nervous system.
Cyanobacteria utilize a new photosensor regulating yellow-green light-harvesting antenna protein for photosynthesis. The discovery was made by researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology and found that the photosensor emerged about 2.1 billion years ago through genetic exchange between cyanobacteria.
Cyanobacteria assemble intricate carboxysomes to concentrate carbon dioxide, improving RubisCO efficiency. Researchers discovered that CcmM binds to RubisCO enzymes in a non-traditional manner.
Research suggests that oxygenic photosynthesis could have occurred at least one billion years before the emergence of cyanobacteria, a key factor in increasing atmospheric oxygen levels. This finding has significant implications for our understanding of the origins of complex life and its potential evolution on other planets.
Researchers at Hiroshima University have developed a biocontainment strategy to safely control the spread of genetically modified cyanobacteria. By engineering microalgae to depend on a specific nutrient, they prevent its survival outside of a controlled environment.
A new study reveals that cells decide when to divide based on their internal clocks, with the time of day having a stronger influence than previously thought. The circadian clock continuously influences cell division throughout the day and night, fine-tuning the process by decreasing or accelerating division at different times.
Researchers created bionic mushrooms by integrating cyanobacteria with graphene nanoribbons, producing electricity through photosynthesis. The hybrid system can produce eight-fold more electricity than traditional methods, opening opportunities for next-generation bio-hybrid applications in healthcare, defense, and the environment.
A global research team led by OU professors Karl D. Hambright and Lee R. Krumholz is investigating the complex interactions between cyanobacteria and associated bacteria in freshwater blooms. The team aims to discover new avenues for bloom mitigation through a deeper understanding of microbial co-evolution.
Researchers have found viable cyanobacteria in a deep borehole, expanding the ecological range of these microorganisms. The discovery suggests that cyanobacteria can thrive in environments without sunlight, potentially serving as primary producers in the deep subsurface.
Scientists at Australian National University have engineered tiny carbon-capturing engines from blue-green algae into plants, promising a 60% increase in plant growth and yield. This breakthrough improves the way crops convert carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight into energy through enhanced photosynthesis.
Researchers found that iron-silica particles in ancient seawater helped cyanobacteria survive and thrive, paving the way for oxygenation. However, UV stress still limited their growth, contributing to the slow accumulation of atmospheric oxygen.
Scientists have discovered a new form of photosynthesis that uses near-infrared light, contradicting the long-held assumption that only red light is required. This discovery has significant implications for crop engineering and astrobiology.
Researchers discovered that increasing cyanobacteria growth temperature boosts succinate production by 7.5 times, thanks to genetic engineering and dynamic metabolome analysis. The study uses Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 as a model organism to develop more efficient metabolic pathways.
A new experiment by Iowa State University's Elizabeth Swanner simulated prehistoric oceans and found that much of the iron was reduced again into its dissolved form despite oxygenation by cyanobacteria. This unexpected result challenges traditional assumptions about how iron-rich sedimentary rocks are formed from ancient oceans.
Researchers discovered 1.6 billion-year-old fossilized oxygen bubbles trapped in microbial mats, providing a signature for life. These ancient bubbles were created by cyanobacteria through photosynthesis and suggest a larger role for these microbes in shaping the Earth's ecosystem.
Cyanobacterial clock proteins were found to dictate their function through internal motions, providing important mechanistic insights into biological timekeeping. This discovery has implications for understanding circadian clocks in eukaryotic organisms, such as animals and humans.
Scientists develop method to produce shinorine in lab, increasing reliable supply and reducing environmental impact. The new process uses freshwater cyanobacteria as host cells for shinorine expression, resulting in higher production yields.
Researchers found that 500-million-year-old macroorganisms, such as Beltanelliformis, were actually colonies of cyanobacteria. The study used biomarkers to determine the composition of ancient organisms, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers found BMAA, a toxin linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS, in areas of Lake Winnipeg bloom impacted by pollution and farming. Cyanobacterial blooms are not isolated to Lake Winnipeg and pose public health risks.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis have developed the first experimental map of a cyanobacteria's water world, revealing pathways that could be used to deliver water to the active site. The discovery advances photosynthesis research and has implications for green fuels.
Researchers discovered a diverse microbial ecosystem at Laguna La Brava, with Euryarchaeota and Crenarchaeota groups dominating the environment. The absence of cyanobacteria led the authors to suggest alternative microorganisms precipitating minerals in these extreme conditions.
A study suggests that photosynthetic eukaryotes originated around 1.9 billion years ago through endosymbiosis with cyanobacteria, giving rise to archaeplastids including land plants and algae. The analysis reveals that the common ancestor of these organisms likely emerged in freshwater habitats.
A study published in Science finds that rising carbon dioxide levels and ocean acidity can hinder the functioning of Trichodesmium cyanobacteria, a key process for nitrogen fixation. This could have significant effects on marine ecosystems and food webs.
A recent study by Waseda University researchers found that the glaucophyte Cyanophora paradoxa has metabolic interactions with respiration similar to those in cyanobacteria. This suggests that cyanelles retain many characteristics of their ancestral cyanobacteria, challenging current understanding of algae evolution.
A new study analyzed 41 genomes to determine how Cyanobacteria evolved oxygenic photosynthesis, finding that it likely occurred through lateral gene transfer in Oxyphotobacteria after divergence from the Melainabacteria group around 2.5-2.6 billion years ago
Researchers have discovered the evolutionary history of cyanobacteria, the microorganisms responsible for 'inventing' oxygen-producing photosynthesis. The study found that Oxyphobacteria were the only group to evolve this process, with oxygenic photosynthesis arising around 2.3 billion years ago.
Researchers at Utrecht University have uncovered the operation of the ancient biological clock in cyanobacteria, revealing a precision system comprising three protein components: KaiA, KaiB and KaiC. By slowing down time and applying cutting-edge techniques, the team identified the vital structures that govern the clock's daily rhythm.
Scientists have introduced a new family of UVA and UVB filters inspired by natural sunscreen substances found in algae and cyanobacteria. These molecules are highly stable, enhance commercial sunscreen effectiveness, and offer improved sun protection factor.
Researchers have discovered that vitamin B-12 exists in two forms in the oceans, with cyanobacteria producing a "pseudo" version that's not usable by other organisms. This finding has implications for how algae and other marine life access this essential nutrient.
A 3.5-billion-year-old phosphorus surplus coincided with the emergence of complex life on Earth, suggesting a key role in animal evolution. The discovery was made by analyzing sedimentary rock records from ancient coastal zones.
MSU scientists engineer molecular Velcro into cyanobacteria, enhancing their biofuel potential and ability to form artificial microbial communities. The technology may improve the efficiency of harvesting algae and reduce production costs for sustainable biofuels.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria form compacted DNA structures transiently before cell division, similar to eukaryotes. The compacted DNA includes polyphosphate bodies that may regulate phosphate supply for DNA synthesis.
Scientists discover why fast-growing cyanobacteria thrives under intense light by expanding cellular machinery to build proteins. The organism can triple in size in less than 2 hours, producing more fuel and chemicals compared to slower-growing species.
Researchers visualize peptidoglycan 'wall' in moss chloroplasts for the first time, overturning traditional understanding of chloroplast structure. The discovery has significant implications for our knowledge of plant cell biology and the origins of photosynthesis.
Researchers have discovered how cyanobacteria create patterns to optimize nitrogen fixation, a process vital for life. The patterns allow cells to distribute fixed nitrogen efficiently, enabling complex life forms like humans to survive.
Researchers at Arizona State University found that a particular type of cyanobacteria can bore into and live within solid carbonates, hastening coral reef erosion. The microbe orchestrate cell-to-cell calcium transport, developing specialized cells to store and regulate calcium levels.
Cyanobacteria use internal protein 'machines' to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into sugar during photosynthesis. Researchers developed a method to analyze bacterial cells and found that carboxysomes can adjust their positioning in response to environmental changes.
The researchers genetically modified cyanobacteria to produce enzymes for basic and fine chemicals, utilizing photosynthesis to supply energy. This approach shows promising potential for industrial applications by reducing unwanted by-products and increasing selectivity.
A new study finds that bacterial circadian clocks are set by metabolic rhythms, rather than light exposure. Genetically engineered cyanobacteria showed that the clock responds to sugar availability and can maintain a regular rhythm in complete darkness.
The Fundao Dam failure in Brazil's Samarco mine disaster may have been caused by its structural failure. An integrated approach to detecting and characterizing cyanobacteria blooms could reduce human health risks and direct field resources more effectively.
A new USGS guide provides 100 photos to identify harmful algal blooms in freshwater bodies. The images aid in distinguishing between toxic cyanobacteria blooms and non-toxic ones, helping communities protect themselves from toxin exposure.
Researchers estimated that cyanobacteria in the oceans produce between 300-800 million tonnes of hydrocarbons per year. This production dwarfs crude oil releases by natural seepage or accidental spills.
A team of researchers at Michigan State University has created a synthetic protein that improves the assembly of carbon-fixing factories in cyanobacteria, enabling more efficient biofuel production. The new protein also provides a proof of concept for improving plant photosynthesis or installing new metabolic pathways in bacteria.
Toxic cyanobacteria blooms pose a growing risk to US drinking and recreational water quality, with many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs already contaminated. The issue is complex, but modern water treatment can mitigate risks, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and regulation.
Scientists at NREL have successfully produced ethylene through photosynthesis using cyanobacteria, a breakthrough that could reduce carbon dioxide emissions and provide an alternative to traditional fossil fuel-based production. The method has been improved significantly since its initial discovery in 2010, with the goal of increasing ...
Using advanced flow cytometry, University of Alberta scientists rapidly detect outbreaks of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, providing timely information to the public and notifying health officials. This helps prevent human health risks from toxic blue-green algae in lakes throughout Alberta.
Researchers Cardona et al. examine evolution of D1 protein, heart of Photosystem II, to propose sequence of events for origin of water splitting in photosynthesis. They find evidence suggests water splitting could have evolved relatively fast after just a few changes to ancestral D1 protein.
Cyanobacteria blooms have increased disproportionately over the past two centuries, with greatest growth since 1945, posing a serious threat to drinking water sources. Human activities such as land-use intensification, sewage discharge, and climate change contribute to this trend.
A global study reveals a rapid increase in cyanobacteria levels in lakes over the past two centuries, with alarming acceleration since the mid-20th century. The research highlights the potential for toxic algal blooms to contaminate drinking water and pose serious health risks.
Researchers at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory have developed a technique to rapidly explore, sort, and analyze samples with high-resolution X-ray imaging. This method enables the study of viral infections, cell division, and photosynthesis in unprecedented detail, and has the potential to revolutionize biology research.
Scientists have identified a fast-growing cyanobacterial strain, Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, which grows at over 50% per hour. The strain's genome is remarkably similar to another widely studied cyanobacterium, and its genetic determinants of rapid growth may hold the key to unlocking new biotech applications.
A new study led by University of Michigan researchers finds that microcystin-producing cyanobacteria in Lake Erie are becoming more sensitive to phosphorus, suggesting current reduction targets may not be enough to curb blooms. The team also suggests invasive quagga and zebra mussels may be driving the trend.
Scientists discovered a new subgroup of cyanobacteria that can absorb and use far-red light for photosynthesis, replacing 17 proteins in three major complexes. This process has a dramatic effect on the organism's physiology and metabolism, producing 40% more oxygen.