Carbon Cycle
Researchers create glowing probe to track ocean microbe sugar breakdown
A team of scientists has invented a fluorescent molecular probe that lights up when marine microbes degrade sugars, revealing key processes in the ocean's carbon cycle. This tool allows real-time observation of how algae and bacteria interact in breaking down complex carbohydrates. The breakthrough, detailed in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, promises deeper insights into carbon storage and release in marine ecosystems.