The main image shows brown algae (Sargassum sp.) that proved nutrients for Nitzschia sing1 diatoms (Sentosa Island, Singapore). Nitzschia sing1 diatoms growing in the lab are shown in the inset. The diatoms are 30 micrometers long. Credit: Jedd Group

The #diatom genus Nitzschia lost photosynthesis to become free-living heterotrophs. This study shows how #HGT from marine bacteria, followed by #GeneDuplication & #neofunctionalization, allowed them to catabolize #alginate & live off brown algal polysaccharides @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/41WaW8e

The main image shows brown algae (Sargassum sp.) that proved nutrients for Nitzschia sing1 diatoms (Sentosa Island, Singapore). Nitzschia sing1 diatoms growing in the lab are shown in the inset. The diatoms are 30 micrometers long. Credit: Jedd Group

The #diatom genus Nitzschia lost photosynthesis to become free-living heterotrophs. This study shows how #HGT from marine bacteria, followed by #GeneDuplication & #neofunctionalization, allowed them to catabolize #alginate & live off brown algal polysaccharides @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/41WaW8e

The main image shows brown algae (Sargassum sp.) that proved nutrients for Nitzschia sing1 diatoms (Sentosa Island, Singapore). Nitzschia sing1 diatoms growing in the lab are shown in the inset. The diatoms are 30 micrometers long. Credit: Jedd Group

The #diatom genus Nitzschia lost photosynthesis to become free-living heterotrophs. This study shows how #HGT from marine bacteria, followed by #GeneDuplication & #neofunctionalization, allowed them to catabolize #alginate & live off brown algal polysaccharides @plosbiology.org 🧪 plos.io/41WaW8e