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 Cyanobacteria
Found in habitats ranging from the hot pools of Yellowstone to the deserts of the middle east to the middle of the oceans, cyanobacteria are nearly ubiquitous on the earth’s surface. Once known as blue-green algae, cyanobacteria produce blooms – large floating masses- in warm, low water reservoirs- and in the world’s oceans. Some blooms in the oceans are thousands of kilometers long. Some species of cyanobacteria are symbiotic, meaning that they live inside of other organisms. Our research has focused on cyanobacteria that live inside of specialized roots of cycad plants. These symbiotic cyanobacteria fix nitrogen, and may aid in the nitrogen metabolism of the plant. We have also discovered that they produce the neurotoxin BMAA. The toxins these cyanobacteria produce may function to deter insects or grazing animals. |
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Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria of ancient date in the geological record. It is believed that cyanobacteria played a major role in generating the oxygen atmosphere of the earth. |
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