Until now, the only “nitrogen-fixing” organisms were thought to be prokaryotes such as bacteria. 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.
The discovery of the structure, called a nitroplast, in algae could bolster efforts to genetically engineer plants to convert, or ‘fix’, their own nitrogen, which could boost crop yields and reduce the need for fertilizers.
A Braarudosphaera bigelowii cell magnified 1,000-fold.
The discovery of the structure, called a nitroplast, in algae could bolster efforts to genetically engineer plants to convert, or ‘fix’, their own nitrogen, which could boost crop yields and reduce the need for fertilizers.
A Braarudosphaera bigelowii cell magnified 1,000-fold.
