Discovery of Nitrogen-Fixing Organelle in Algae Revolutionizes Biological Understanding

Researchers have identified a new organelle, named nitroplast, in marine algae that can fix atmospheric nitrogen, challenging long-held scientific beliefs about nitrogen fixation.

The nitroplast is the first known nitrogen-fixing organelle within a eukaryotic cell, discovered in the marine algae Braarudosphaera bigelowii.
This discovery is significant as it revises the understanding that only prokaryotes like bacteria were capable of fixing nitrogen from the atmosphere.
The nitroplast evolved from a symbiotic bacterium approximately 100 million years ago, integrating fully as an organelle within the algae.
Researchers highlight the potential of this discovery to transform agricultural practices by reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers.
The study involved international collaboration and extensive research, including genetic and protein analysis to confirm the organelle's function and evolution.