Cell signaling in marine diatoms

Marine photosynthetic microorganisms (phytoplankton) are the basis of marine foodwebs and are responsible for nearly 50% of the global annual carbon-based primary production.1 Phytoplankton can grow rapidly and form massive blooms that can be regulated by environmental factors such as nutrients and light availability and biotic interaction with grazers and viruses.2,3 Their crucial role in drawing down atmospheric CO(2) and their potential use for future biofuel production4 raises the critical need for better understanding of fundamental features of their biology.5 Although traditionally phytoplankton were considered passive drifters with the currents (from Greek-"Planktos"), our recent reports demonstrate how cells employ a complex mechanism to sense changes in environmental cues and activate chemical-based defense strategies.