Analysis of Prochlorococcus marina

The smallest photosynthetic organism

Using a CytoSense the researchers from the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (MIO), Aix-Marseille University, successfully analyzed Prochlorococcus marina. With diameter of around 0.6 μm, this marine cyanobacterium is the smallest known photosynthetic organism. At the same time it is the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth. Quantitative analysis of Prochlorococcus marina with the CytoSense facilitates understanding of the role of this species in ocean ecosystems.