Distinct glycoconjugate cell surface structures make the pelagic diatom Thalassiosira rotula an attractive habitat for bacteria.

Interactions between marine diatoms and bacteria have been studied for decades. However, the visualization of physical interactions between these diatoms and their colonizers is still limited. To enhance our understanding of these specific interactions, a new Thalassiosira rotula isolate from the North Sea (strain 8673) was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) after staining with fluorescently labeled lectins targeting specific glycoconjugates.

Availability of vitamin B and its lower ligand intermediate α-ribazole impact prokaryotic and protist communities in oceanic systems.

Genome analyses predict that the cofactor cobalamin (vitamin B, called B herein) is produced by only one-third of all prokaryotes but almost all encode at least one B-dependent enzyme, in most cases methionine synthase. This implies that the majority of prokaryotes relies on exogenous B supply and interacts with producers. B consists of a corrin ring centred around a cobalt ion and the lower ligand 5'6-dimethylbenzimidazole (DMB).