Ancient Microbes Tackle CO2

Researchers have developed a printable gel that is infused with ancient cyanobacteria – a 'photosynthetic living material' which not only grows, but removes CO2 from the air, twice over

- HRITHIK KIRAN BAGADE

Cyanobacteria, often referred to as blue-green algae, are a group of photosynthetic bacteria that have existed for over 3.5 billion years. Despite their misleading name, they are not algae but prokaryotic microorganisms, lacking a nucleus and organelles, that played a foundational role in shaping life on Earth. Through oxygenic photosynthesis, cyanobacteria began producing oxygen billions of years ago, triggering the Great Oxidation Event around 2.4 billion years ago. This transformation allowed aerobic life to emerge and fundamentally altered the Earth's atmosphere and biosphere.

Today, cyanobacteria continue to be vital components of diverse ecosystems. They are found across freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments, and some species even thrive in extreme conditions such as polar ice or geothermal springs. Cyanobacteria exist as single cells, colonies, or long filaments. Importantly, some species possess the ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, making them valuable in agriculture and natural ecosystems where they help sustain soil fertility.

Beyond their ecological functions, cyanobacteria have become a major focus of biotechnology and materials science. Their efficiency in capturing carbon dioxide and light makes them promising tools for carbon sequestration and biofuel production. Under the right conditions, typically involving excess nutrients and warmth, cyanobacteria can proliferate rapidly, causing harmful algal blooms that threaten ecosystems and public health. But scientists are now turning these same capabilities toward solving pressing environmental problems, particularly those related to carbon emissions and sustainable construction.