Climate change Protein shell enhances photosynthesis in diatoms

A protein coat helps diatoms to bind carbon dioxide from the ocean more efficiently and convert it into nutrients. This discovery was made by researchers from the Biozentrum of the University of Basel together with colleagues from the UK and Japan.

With the converted nutrients, diatoms can feed a large proportion of life in the ocean. They are invisible to the naked eye, but are among the most productive algae species in the ocean and play an important role in the global carbon cycle, as the University of Basel announced on Wednesday. Diatoms store up to 20 percent of the Earth's carbon dioxide.

When the researchers removed the protein shell, they found that the algae were significantly less able to bind carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis was less efficient and cell growth was reduced.

The discovery of the protein envelope opens up promising avenues for biotechnological research to combat climate change, the report continued. The discovery should contribute to new applications that improve photosynthesis and bind more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is now important to conduct basic research in order to find more opportunities for future innovations.