Tiny Marine Microbe Reveals How Few Genes Cells Need to Survive

Scientists have discovered a previously unknown microorganism, which has the smallest genome ever found, that is possibly able to replicate and express its own genetic information.

The microorganism belongs to the archaea, a group of single-celled organisms that are fundamentally different to bacteria.

The microbe is named Candidatus Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, or Sukunaarchaeum for short, in honour of a small Japanese god. It has an unusually small genome but despite this, Sukunaarchaeum still contains the genes needed to copy its DNA and use its genetic information to make proteins.

What makes the discovery particularly interesting is what Sukunaarchaeum does not have - it has lost almost all the genes needed to produce its own nutrients and energy. This suggests that it depends heavily on other organisms for the resources it needs to survive.