Latest news with #Elysia


Atlantic
23-07-2025
- Science
- Atlantic
The Sea Slug Defying Biological Orthodoxy
This week, a friend sent me our horoscope—we're both Gemini—from Seven Days, a beloved Vermont weekly, because, improbably, it was about the sea slug I'd been telling her about just days before. 'The sea slug Elysia chlorotica is a small, unassuming creature that performs a remarkable feat: It eats algae and steals its chloroplasts, then incorporates them into its own body,' the horoscope explained. Years ago I had incorporated this fact into my own view of the world, and it had changed my understanding of the rules of biology. This particular slug starts life a brownish color with a few red dots. Then it begins to eat from the hairlike strands of the green algae Vaucheria litorea: It uses specialized teeth to puncture the alga's wall, and then it slurps out its cells like one might slurp bubble tea, each bright-green cellular boba moving up the algal straw. The next part remains partially unexplained by science. The slug digests the rest of the cell but keeps the chloroplasts—the plant organelles responsible for photosynthesis—and distributes these green orbs through its branched gut. Somehow, the slug is able to run the chloroplasts itself and, after sucking up enough of them, turns a brilliant green. It appears to get all the food it needs for the rest of its life by way of photosynthesis, transforming light, water, and air into sugar, like a leaf. The horoscope took this all as a metaphor: Something I'd 'absorbed from another' is 'integrating into your deeper systems,' it advised. 'This isn't theft, but creative borrowing.' And in that single line, the horoscope writer managed to explain symbiosis—not a metaphor at all, but an evolutionary mechanism that may be more prevalent across biology than once thought. Elysia chlorotica is a bewitching example of symbiosis. It is flat, heart-shaped, and pointed at the tail, and angles itself toward the sun. Its broad surface is grooved by a web of veins, like a leaf's is. Ignore its goatish head, and you might assume this slug was a leaf, if a particularly gelatinous one. Sidney Pierce, a marine biologist retired from the University of South Florida, remembers his surprise when a grad student brought a specimen into his office in the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, on Cape Cod, more than two decades ago. Photosynthesis requires specialized equipment and chemistry, which animals simply do not have—'yet here was an animal that's figured out how to do it,' he told me. He spent the next 20-odd years trying to find the mechanism. 'Unfortunately, I didn't get all the way to the end,' he said. No one has, as my colleague Katherine J. Wu has written. The algae and the slug may have managed some kind of gene transfer, and over time, produced a new way of living, thanks not to slow, stepwise evolution—the random mutation within a body—but by the wholesale transfer of a piece of code. A biological skill leaked out of one creature into another. All of us are likely leakier than we might assume. After all, every cell with a nucleus, meaning all animal and plant cells, has a multigenetic heritage. Mitochondria—the organelles in our cells responsible for generating energy—are likely the product of an ancient symbiosis with a distant ancestor and a microbe, and have their own separate DNA. So we are walking around with the genetic material of some other ancient life form suffused in every cell. And the earliest ancestor of all plants was likely the product of a fusion between a microbe and a cyanobacterium; plants' photosynthesizing organelles, too, have distinct DNA. Lynn Margulis, the biologist who made the modern case for this idea, was doubted for years until new genetic techniques proved her correct. Her conviction about the symbiotic origins of mitochondria and chloroplasts was a monumental contribution to cell biology. But Margulis took her theory further; in her view, symbiosis was the driving force of evolution, and many entities were likely composites. Evolution, then, could be traced not only through random mutation, but by combination. 'Life did not take over the globe by combat, but by networking. Life forms multiplied and complexified by co-opting others, not just by killing one another,' she wrote, with her son, in 1986. This remains pure conjecture, and an exaggeration of the role of symbiosis beyond what mainstream evolutionary theory would support; random mutation is still considered the main driver of speciation. Yet more scientists now wonder if symbiosis may have played a larger role in the heritage of many species than we presently understand. Phillip Cleves, a geneticist at the Carnegie Institution for Science who studies the symbiotic relationship between corals and their algae symbionts, told me how, as an undergraduate, he was blown away by the fact that corals' alliance with algae made possible ecosystems—coral reefs—that support a quarter of all known marine life. The algae cells live, whole, inside coral cells, and photosynthesize as normal, sustaining the coral in nutrient-poor tropical waters. 'I realize now that that type of interaction between organisms is pervasive across the tree of life,' he said. It's probable that the ancestors of all eukaryotes were more influenced by bacteria in their environments than modern evolutionary theory has accounted for. 'All animals and plants likely require interactions with microbes, often in strong, persistent symbiotic associations,' Margaret McFall-Ngai, a leading researcher of the role of microbes in animal development, wrote in 2024. These interactions, she argued, are so fundamental to life that the animal immune system should perhaps be thought of as a sort of management system for our many microbial symbionts. Although biology has been slow to recognize symbiosis's significance, she thinks this line of research should now take center stage, and could alter how all stripes of biologists think about their work. Cleves, too, sees himself as working to build a new field of science, by training people on how to ask genetic questions about symbiotic relationships in nature: When I called him, he was preparing to teach a four-week course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole on exactly that. Genomic research has only relatively recently been cheap enough to apply it routinely and broadly to all sorts of creatures, but now scientists can more easily ask: How do animals' interactions with microbes shape the evolution of individual species? And how does that change dynamics in an ecosystem more broadly? Elysia chlorotica is also a lesson in how easily the boundaries between an organism and its environment can be traversed. 'Every time an organism eats, a whole wad of DNA from whatever it's eating passes through the animal. So DNA gets transferred all the time from species to species,' Pierce told me. Most times it doesn't stick, but on the rare occasions when it does, it can reroute the fate of a species. 'I think it happens more than it's recognized, but a lot of times it's hard to recognize because you don't know what you're looking for. But in these slugs, it's pretty obvious,' he said. They're bright green. Still, attempts to understand what is happening inside Elysia chlorotica have mostly fallen short. Scientists such as Pierce presume that, over time, elements of the algal genome have been transferred to the slug, allowing it to run photosynthesis, yet they have struggled to find evidence. 'It's very hard to find a gene if you don't know what you're looking for,' Pierce said—plus, slug DNA is too muddled to parse a lot of the time. Slugs are full of mucus, which can ruin samples, and because the chloroplasts are embedded inside the slug cells, many samples of slug DNA end up picking up chloroplast DNA too. After years of trying, and at least one false start by a different lab, Pierce and his colleagues did manage to find a gene in the slug that was involved with chloroplast repair, hinting that a genetic transfer had occurred, and offering a clue as to how the animal manages to keep the plant organelles alive. But another research team showed that related species of photosynthesizing slugs can survive for months deprived of sunlight and actual food: They may simply be hardy. Why, then, if not to make nutrients, might the slugs be photosynthesizing? Perhaps for camouflage. Or perhaps they're stashing chloroplasts, which themselves contain useful fats and proteins, as food reserves. (Pierce, for one, is skeptical of those explanations.) Whatever benefit Elysia chlorotica derives from the chloroplasts, there couldn't be a leakier creature. It crosses the divide between plant and animal, one species and another, and individual and environment. I first read about the slug in a book titled Organism and Environment by Sonia Sultan, an evolutionary ecologist at Wesleyan University, in which she forwards the argument that we should be paying more attention to how the environment influences the way creatures develop, and how those changes are passed generationally, ultimately influencing the trajectory of species. While Elysia chlorotica is an extreme example of this, a version of it happens to us, and our bodies, all the time. Encounters with the bacteria around us reshape our microbiomes, which in turn affect many aspects of our health. Encounters with pollution can reroute the trajectory of our health and even, in some cases, the health of our offspring. Researchers think access to healthy foods—a factor of our environments—can modify how our genes are expressed, improving our lives in ways that scientists are just beginning to understand. We are constantly taking our environment in, and it is constantly transforming us.


Scientific American
27-06-2025
- Science
- Scientific American
This Solar-Powered Slug Steals Photosynthetic Machinery for Emergency Food
' Solar-powered' sea slugs have specialized depots in their cells that store photosynthetic equipment looted from algae, a study reports. These depots provide just the right chemical environment to keep the stolen apparatus, called chloroplasts, alive and working to turn sunlight into nutrients. 'It was the wildest thing that we had seen,' says study co-author Nicholas Bellono, a biologist at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The authors also found that, in lean times, the slugs can raid these compartments to consume chloroplasts. The compartment 'is basically like a moving refrigerator of chloroplasts where, after a period of starvation, the slugs can switch from storage to consumption to survive', Bellono says. On supporting science journalism If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. The findings were published in Cell. Green grazer Scientists discovered decades ago that certain species of sea slug store chloroplasts from the algae they eat, a diet that can turn the slugs bright green. But no one understood how the slugs keep these foreign organelles alive without the support of the rest of the algal cell. Bellono and his team added chemical tags to proteins newly made by the slugs' own cells. They found that most of the proteins in a slug's chloroplasts were made by the slug — not by the original algae. That meant the slug was helping to maintain the chloroplasts. When the scientists looked at the chloroplasts under a microscope, they found that the organelles were housed in special compartments in the slugs' guts. Each compartment was surrounded by a membrane that tested positive for markers typically found in cellular structures called phagosomes, which fuse with other structures called lysomes to digest unneeded organelles. The researchers named this structure the kleptosome, after a Greek word that means to steal. Life of crime The team also found that these organelles contained ion channels — receptors that convert chemical messages into electrical signals. Among them is one called P2X4, which opens in response to the presence of ATP, an energy-carrying molecule produced during photosynthesis. When Bellono and his team blocked this channel in slugs' kleptosomes, oxygen production from photosynthesis dropped, showing that the kleptosome is actively involved in keeping the chloroplasts functioning. Having discovered the existence of the kleptosome, the researchers wondered whether it helps the slugs to resist starvation. They compared the solar-powered slug Elysia crispata with Aplysia californica, a non-photosynthetic slug that lacks kleptosomes. Aplysia died after three to four weeks without food, whereas Elysia could survive for up to four months. Yet, after four weeks, the Elysia slugs lost their green colour, turned orange — just as leaves do in autumn — and stopped photosynthesizing. Microscopy revealed that the Elysia 's kleptosomes had begun fusing with lysosomes and that the colour change was caused by the degradation of the chloroplast. The study is 'remarkable,' says cell biologist Elena Oancea at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Studying the molecular and cellular processes of creatures as small as sea slugs is extremely challenging, she says. 'It takes a lot of courage to do that.' The discovery of the kleptosome could help to answer broader questions about organelle evolution and other cellular processes that we don't understand yet, Oancea says. All life is built on cells, she adds: 'It's the basic principle of nature.'


Business Wire
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Fontana Forni Launches Elysia: Italian-Made Outdoor Modular Kitchens
FLORENCE, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For over 75 years, Fontana Forn i has been synonymous with exceptional Italian craftsmanship. Best known for its handcrafted outdoor ovens, Fontana proudly introduces Elysia, a new line of modular outdoor kitchens that extend the brand's legacy into full outdoor living. Our steel ovens are a representation of Italian culture, built around a passion for delicious food and meaningful conversation. Elysia carries that tradition forward —with modular kitchens that are as beautiful as they are functional, offering a true gathering space for family and friends. 'With Elysia, we're extending the experience beyond the oven—to the entire kitchen,' says Jeremy Lande, CEO of Fontana Forni USA. 'It's about creating a space where food, family, and great moments come together.' Designed for both performance and personalization, each Elysia kitchen is fully modular, with quick assembly and versatile layout options that can adapt to any outdoor space or budget. Each module is crafted from galvannealed steel, powder-coated for durability, and available in 30 color options with customizable cabinetry and countertop selections. 'Our goal was to build something adaptable and long-lasting—just like our ovens,' said Philip Laing, VP of Fontana Forni USA. 'Elysia delivers on that promise, with beautifully made units that fit together seamlessly.' Compatible with Fontana's top-selling ovens—including the Maestro 60 Gas Oven, Margherita Wood Oven, and Firenze Hybrid Oven —the Elysia line supports a wide variety of layouts with fridge modules, storage, open shelves, soft-close drawers, and even Lynx grill integration. Performance Meets Personalization Elysia is as functional as it is beautiful. Key features include: All-Weather Tough: Galvannealed steel with a durable powder coat finish is built to withstand harsh winters and year-round exposure. Custom Countertop Ready: Optional scratch-resistant Neolith surfaces, or use your own. Designed for seamless compatibility. Refined Functionality: Soft-close hinges and drawer slides, with interior-access adjustable feet for seamless leveling. Rear Ventilation: Back panel vents support safe, efficient appliance performance. Fontana's online 3D configurator allows customers to preview their design in real time using Augmented Reality, making customization simple and intuitive. Elysia is more than just an outdoor kitchen—it's a natural extension of your home. Learn more or build your setup: Based in Florence, South Carolina, Fontana Forni USA is the exclusive North American distributor of Fontana ovens— handcrafted in the Marche region of Italy. Known for pioneering the first indirect-combustion wood-fired oven, Fontana leads in performance and design. Fontana offers hybrid ovens that run on wood or gas (propane/natural gas) and is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Saputo Stones—artisan-crafted baking stones that deliver true Neapolitan results at 900°F without burning. From pizza and steaks to bread and desserts, Fontana ovens—and now Elysia kitchens—bring professional results to your backyard. Follow Fontana Forni @fontanaforniusa on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest and Twitter.


Web Release
12-03-2025
- Automotive
- Web Release
FORTESCUE ZERO SUPPLIES FORMULA E WITH NEW ULTRA-FAST PIT BOOST TECHNOLOGY AFTER JEDDAH E-PRIX PREMIERE
Fortescue Zero has today been announced as an Official Pit Boost Provider of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship for Season 11 after its newly developed Pit Boost technology was introduced to the all-electric series at the inaugural Jeddah E-Prix earlier this year. As seen in its premiere in Saudi Arabia during Round 3 of the competition, Fortescue Zero's hardware provides teams competing in the global championship with a +10% boost of total battery capacity in less than 30 seconds. This rapid and efficient ultra-fast booster system has been designed to deliver two battery boosts from a portable unit. The use of onboard energy storage also enables the 600kW boost that is not constrained by grid connection. The ultra-fast technology used for Pit Boost is enhanced by Fortescue Zero's battery intelligence software, Elysia, which allows for the optimisation of speed, while also preserving battery life and integrity. Elysia enables the race car battery to achieve a charging C-rate of around 15C. The Pit Boost technology was first deployed in competition during the Jeddah E-Prix, which was staged at the record-breaking Jeddah Corniche Circuit on February 13, and will continue to be deployed during double-headers as part of the 16-race calendar this season, including rounds in Monaco, Tokyo, Shanghai, Berlin and London. Fortescue Zero has taken its ultra-fast boost innovations and used them to help develop real-world solutions with on-road and heavy industry vehicle applications, including a 6MW fast charger that is designed to be compatible with a wide range of battery electric heavy mining equipment. This process underscores Formula E's position to offer commercial partners and organisations with a world-leading test bed where new products and systems can be developed and integrated into the world championship and beyond. Ellie Coates, CEO, Fortescue Zero, said: 'Fortescue Zero pushes the limits of what batteries, their infrastructure and intelligence systems can do in a safe, tested and innovative way. 'The ultra-fast boost technology used in the Pit Boost, not only takes motorsports to a new level, it also has a flow on effect to real-world practicalities too, including in Heavy Industry and on-road electric vehicle applications.' Jeff Dodds, CEO, Formula E, said: 'The successful development and integration of Fortescue Zero's Pit Boost technology has not only been a positive gamer-changer for the racing our fans can expect, but is one of the biggest new features introduced into world-motorsport in recent memory. Not only is it bringing huge new excitement to our racetracks, but allows the series and commercial partners to pioneer cutting edge technology that is directly relevant to road-going EV users. This new technology will have enormous real-world benefits and tangibly contributes to our overarching mission of accelerating the development and uptake of EVs around the world.' The post FORTESCUE ZERO SUPPLIES FORMULA E WITH NEW ULTRA-FAST PIT BOOST TECHNOLOGY AFTER JEDDAH E-PRIX PREMIERE appeared first on Web Release.