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‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ uncovers bacteria’s ability to predict seasonal changes

“Bacteria’s Internal Clocks Help Them Anticipate Seasons, Study Shows – Thanks to an ‘Ice Bucket Challenge'”

The role of circadian rhythms in adapting species to climate change has been further illuminated by a recent study that utilized an ‘ice bucket challenge’ to investigate how bacteria use their internal clocks to anticipate the arrival of new seasons. The research, conducted by a team of scientists led by Dr. Luísa Jabbur, has revealed that cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, possess the ability to adjust their physiology in response to changes in day length, a phenomenon known as photoperiodism.

In the study, populations of cyanobacteria were subjected to different artificial day lengths at a constant warm temperature. Samples were exposed to short days, equinox days (equal light and dark), or long days for eight days before being plunged into ice for two hours. The researchers found that cyanobacteria that had been exposed to a succession of short days exhibited significantly higher survival rates compared to those that had not been primed in this way. This suggests that the bacteria’s ability to anticipate changes in the environment is crucial for their survival in challenging conditions.

Furthermore, the study demonstrated that cyanobacteria with genes that make up their biological clock removed showed no difference in survival rates regardless of day length. This indicates that the biological clock plays a key role in preparing bacteria for long-term environmental changes, such as shifts in climate or the onset of a new season.

Dr. Jabbur, who conducted the research at Vanderbilt University and is now a BBSRC Discovery Fellow at the John Innes Centre, explained that the findings suggest bacteria use their internal clocks to measure day length and adjust their physiology accordingly. This ability allows them to anticipate seasonal cues and prepare for future challenges.

The study, published in Science, marks a significant advancement in our understanding of how bacteria adapt to changing environmental conditions. Dr. Jabbur and her colleagues plan to further investigate how photoperiodic responses evolve in other species during climate change, with potential applications for major crops.

Overall, this research sheds light on the remarkable ability of bacteria to anticipate and adapt to seasonal changes, opening up new avenues for scientific exploration and potentially offering insights into how other species may respond to environmental challenges in the future.

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