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Diatom ultrastructural diversity across controlled and natural environments
Serena Flori1, Felix Mikus2, Eliott Flaum1
1Developmental Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany; Cell Biology and Biophysics Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany.
Current Biology : CB
|November 1, 2025
Summary
Cryo-fixation combined with expansion microscopy (cryo-ExM) overcomes diatom silica cell walls, enabling detailed ultrastructural imaging. This advances research into these vital aquatic microalgae and their ecological roles.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Cell Biology
- Microscopy
Background:
- Diatoms are crucial aquatic microalgae and early model organisms.
- Their silica cell walls impede standard biological imaging and genetic tools.
- This has limited their broader use as model species despite ecological success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate cryo-fixation combined with ultrastructural expansion microscopy (cryo-ExM) overcomes diatom silica barriers.
- To enable scalable, cost-effective volumetric imaging of diatom ultrastructure.
- To facilitate comparative cell biology research on diatoms.
Main Methods:
- Cryo-fixation and ultrastructural expansion microscopy (cryo-ExM).
- Application across diverse diatom species and evolutionary timescales.
- Analysis of laboratory and field-collected samples.
Main Results:
- Cryo-ExM successfully imaged diatom ultrastructure, overcoming silica impermeability.
- Revealed conserved interphase microtubule organization across diverse diatom species.
- Unveiled significant diversity in chloroplast and pyrenoid morphologies, indicating unique photosynthetic machinery.
- Exposed intricate diatom symbioses and ecological interactions in environmental samples.
Conclusions:
- Cryo-ExM is a powerful, scalable method for studying diatom cell biology.
- This technique enhances accessibility of diatoms for modern research.
- Provides new avenues to investigate the physiology and ecology of this successful photosynthetic group.
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