In a remarkable evolutionary event, two lifeforms have merged to form a single organism through the process of primary endosymbiosis. This has only happened twice in the history of the Earth – the first time resulting in the emergence of mitochondria, which gave rise to all complex life. The second time saw the development of plants.

An international team of scientists has observed this phenomenon happening between a species of algae and a bacterium commonly found in the ocean. Tyler Coale, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California, Santa Cruz, led one of two recent studies that uncovered this discovery. The algae engulfs the bacterium, providing it with nutrients, energy, and protection in exchange for new functions such as nitrogen fixation from the air. The bacterium becomes an organelle within the algae, essential for its functioning.

The researchers believe that this discovery offers new insights into evolution and has the potential to revolutionize agriculture. Dr. Coale suggested that this system could provide a new perspective on nitrogen fixation and be engineered into crop plants. The research papers were published in scientific journals Science and Cell, with scientists from institutions such as MIT, UCSF and Kochi University in Japan contributing to the studies.

This merger is truly groundbreaking as it provides us with a glimpse into how life can evolve over time and adapt to its surroundings. It also opens up exciting possibilities for agricultural advancements by introducing new methods for fixing nitrogen in crops.

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