Scientists unravel how ancient bacteria weave living mats—solving one of nature's oldest mysteries
Scientists have uncovered how cyanobacteria—Earth's first photosynthetic organisms—self-organize into intricate living mats, offering insights into aquatic ecosystems and potential inspiration for material design.
Published in Communications Physics, a new study by Loughborough University and Nottingham Trent University reveals how these microorganisms transition from random, disorganized states to interwoven patterns that form "biomats," uncovering the fundamental principles behind this natural phenomenon.
This feature explores the capabilities of these brilliant bacteria and how researchers unraveled one of nature's oldest mysteries.
Why study cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are an ancient group of microorganisms with fossils dating back to two billion years ago. They were the first life forms on Earth capable of photosynthesizing, contributing to the creation of the planet's oxygen-rich atmosphere, which made complex life possible.
This feature explores the capabilities of these brilliant bacteria and how researchers unraveled one of nature's oldest mysteries.
Why study cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria are an ancient group of microorganisms with fossils dating back to two billion years ago. They were the first life forms on Earth capable of photosynthesizing, contributing to the creation of the planet's oxygen-rich atmosphere, which made complex life possible.
Today, cyanobacteria remain one of the largest and most significant groups of bacteria, playing a vital role in maintaining the balance of our atmosphere and oceans. They thrive in virtually all aquatic environments across the planet, including frozen Antarctic lakes.
"Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in any body of water—sea, lakes, rivers," explains Dr. Marco Mazza, an expert in non-equilibrium physics at Loughborough University.
"They produce the lion's share of the oxygen that we breathe and form one of the bases of the food chain in the ocean.
"Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous in any body of water—sea, lakes, rivers," explains Dr. Marco Mazza, an expert in non-equilibrium physics at Loughborough University.
"They produce the lion's share of the oxygen that we breathe and form one of the bases of the food chain in the ocean.
Left: Cyanobacterium cultivated in a laboratory setting. Right: Filaments under the microscope. Credit: Nottingham Trent University
Cyanobacteria filaments under a microscope. Credit: Nottingham Trent University
The mosaic of images illustrates how cyanobacteria filaments form stable patterns under different conditions. Each panel represents a simulation and they show how filament arrangement changes with density (area coverage, Φ) and motility (Péclet number, Pe). Credit: Communications Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42005-024-01866-5
Image: Time-lapse images show how Oscillatoria lutea filaments self-organize into intricate patterns. Panels (a–e) are microscope images of real cyanobacteria, while panels (f–k) are model simulations replicating the same conditions. Both experiments and simulations demonstrate how small features emerge and gradually form stable patterns over a few hours. Credit: Communications Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42005-024-01866-5