Scientists discovered something surprising about a microscopic ocean creature called Incisomonas marina. Using advanced genetic analysis, they found that this single-celled organism can’t make several important vitamins on its own and relies on bacteria living with it to survive. The researchers also found an unexpected gene in this creature that was previously only known in plants—a gene that helps organisms handle stress. This discovery helps us understand how these tiny creatures evolved and how they survive in the ocean.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How a tiny single-celled ocean creature called Incisomonas marina survives and what genes it has, especially focusing on whether it can make its own vitamins and nutrients.
  • Who participated: Scientists studied one species of ocean microorganism (Incisomonas marina) and the 23 different types of bacteria that live alongside it in laboratory cultures.
  • Key finding: The ocean creature cannot make five important B vitamins on its own and depends on its bacterial partners to provide them. Surprisingly, it also has a gene for making a stress-protection chemical that scientists didn’t expect to find in this type of organism.
  • What it means for you: This research helps scientists understand how ocean life works and may eventually help us grow these creatures in labs for further study. For most people, this is basic science that expands our knowledge of ocean ecosystems, though it doesn’t directly affect daily health decisions.

The Research Details

Scientists used a technique called metagenomics, which is like reading the instruction manual (DNA) of organisms. They took samples of Incisomonas marina living with its bacterial partners and analyzed all the genetic material present. By comparing different genetic sequences, they could figure out which genes belonged to the ocean creature and which belonged to the bacteria. They successfully decoded about 93% of the ocean creature’s complete genetic instruction book, which is the most complete version scientists have ever obtained for this type of organism.

The researchers then looked through all these genetic instructions to find which ones code for making vitamins and amino acids (building blocks of proteins). They compared what genes the creature had to what genes it was missing, which told them what nutrients it couldn’t make on its own. They also examined the bacteria to see which ones might be providing the missing nutrients.

This research approach is important because most of these ocean creatures can’t be grown easily in laboratories, so scientists rarely get to study them directly. By reading their genetic code, researchers can learn about how these creatures survive without needing to culture them. This helps us understand ocean ecosystems and how different organisms depend on each other to survive.

This study provides high-quality genetic information—the researchers obtained 93% of the complete genetic code, which is excellent. However, the study is based on genetic predictions rather than direct experiments proving the creature actually needs these vitamins. The findings are published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, meaning other experts reviewed the work before publication. The main limitation is that this is a single organism studied in laboratory conditions, not in its natural ocean environment.

What the Results Show

The genetic analysis revealed that Incisomonas marina cannot make five B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B7, and B12) on its own. This means the creature must get these vitamins from somewhere else—likely from the bacteria living with it. Interestingly, the creature can make some other vitamins (C, B3, B5, and B9) without help.

The researchers also found that the creature cannot make about half of the amino acids it needs to build proteins. However, they discovered that it has all the genes needed for something called the urea cycle, which helps recycle nitrogen from dead organic material. This is similar to what happens in diatoms (plant-like ocean creatures) and might help the creature reuse nutrients efficiently.

Most surprisingly, the scientists found a gene called DSYB that makes a chemical called dimethylsulphoniopropionate. This chemical helps organisms survive stress and also attracts bacteria. Scientists didn’t expect to find this gene in this type of creature—it was previously only known in photosynthetic organisms (creatures that use sunlight for energy).

The analysis of the 23 bacterial species living with the ocean creature showed that some of these bacteria also lack complete ability to make certain B vitamins. This suggests that vitamins and vitamin-building blocks are being traded and shared among all the organisms in this community. The bacteria may provide vitamins to the ocean creature, while the creature might provide other nutrients or chemicals to the bacteria.

This is the most complete genetic sequence ever obtained for this type of ocean creature (MAST-3 stramenopile). Previous studies of related creatures were less complete. The discovery of the stress-protection gene in a non-photosynthetic creature is unexpected and suggests that these genes may be more widespread in ocean organisms than scientists previously thought. The finding that the creature depends on bacteria for vitamins supports what scientists have suspected about ocean ecosystems—that many organisms rely on complex partnerships to survive.

The main limitation is that this study analyzed genetic code rather than conducting experiments to prove the creature actually needs these vitamins. The creature was studied in laboratory conditions with specific bacteria, not in its natural ocean environment, so the results might differ in nature. The study examined only one species and one bacterial community, so results may not apply to other similar creatures. Additionally, the genetic predictions about vitamin needs are based on comparing genes to known patterns, which could occasionally be inaccurate.

The Bottom Line

This research is primarily of interest to marine scientists and microbiologists studying ocean ecosystems. The findings suggest that future attempts to grow this creature in laboratories should include providing B vitamins or maintaining it with its bacterial partners. For the general public, this research contributes to our understanding of ocean life but doesn’t lead to direct health or lifestyle recommendations at this time.

Marine biologists, oceanographers, and microbiologists should care about these findings. Scientists trying to culture these organisms in laboratories will find this information helpful. People interested in understanding ocean ecosystems and how organisms depend on each other will find this research interesting. This research is not directly relevant to human nutrition or health decisions for the general public.

This research represents a foundational discovery that will help guide future studies. Scientists may use this information to improve laboratory culturing of these organisms over the next few years. Broader understanding of how these findings apply to ocean ecosystems may take several years as more research is conducted.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • While this research doesn’t directly apply to personal health tracking, users interested in marine science could track their learning about ocean microorganisms by noting new discoveries they learn about, such as this finding about vitamin dependencies in ocean creatures.
  • This research doesn’t suggest specific behavior changes for app users. However, it could inspire interest in ocean conservation and understanding marine ecosystems. Users could use the app to track their engagement with ocean science content or educational goals related to marine biology.
  • For scientists using this research, monitoring would involve tracking progress in culturing these organisms with different bacterial combinations and measuring vitamin levels in the cultures. For general users, this might involve following ocean science news and research developments related to marine microorganisms.

This research describes the genetic characteristics of a marine microorganism and does not provide medical advice or health recommendations for humans. The findings are based on genetic analysis rather than direct experimental proof and apply to laboratory conditions, not necessarily to natural ocean environments. This research is intended for scientific and educational purposes. Anyone with questions about their own nutrition or health should consult with a qualified healthcare provider.