A Revolution In Evolution A Bacterial and Alga Love Fest

A Revolution In Evolution A Bacterial and Alga Love Fest

Author: Don Murphy March 19, 2025 Duration: 38:57

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On this episode we speak with Dr. Jonathan Zehr.  He and his colleagues discovered an example of evolution in action.  Dr. Zehr will share with us how such a revolutionary discovery was made.

Jonathan Zehr is the distinguished professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Sciences.  He and his colleagues have discovered the possibility of a complex cellular organism with a nitrogen-fixing organelle derived from endosymbiosis with a nitrogen fixing bacteria. This new organelle is called a nitroplast. Studying a marine alga with a cyanobacterial endosymbiont, Zehr and his colleagues  used soft x-ray tomography to visualize cell structure and division of the alga, revealing a coordinated cell cycle in which the endosymbiont divides and is split evenly, similar to the situation for plastids and mitochondria in these cells.  In other words instead of having a symbiotic relationship, the alga and bacteria integrated to form a newly evolved organism.  Dr. Zehr, welcome to the program.  We can’t wait to hear more about this revolutionary discovery.

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Don Murphy hosts Nature and Science Podcast, a series built on conversations with people for whom curiosity is a way of life. Rather than presenting dry lectures, each episode unfolds as a personal narrative, tracing the unique path that led a guest to their particular corner of the natural or scientific world. You might hear a theoretical physicist describe the moment a complex equation first felt beautiful, or a park ranger recount the specific, quiet morning that solidified their commitment to a wilderness area. The discussions are grounded in the human experience behind the disciplines, whether it's a conservation biologist explaining the emotional weight of tracking a species' recovery or an amateur astronomer sharing how mapping the stars became a lifelong solace. This approach makes the vast subjects of nature and science feel accessible and intimately connected to daily life. By focusing on these individual journeys, the podcast reveals how passion and profession intertwine, offering listeners not just information, but inspiration. It’s for anyone who has ever looked at a forest or a formula and wondered about the stories hidden within. Tune in to find a sense of connection through the shared wonder of exploration.
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