Review. Diatom molecular research comes of age:  Model species for studying phytoplankton biology and diversity (Plant Cell)

Diatoms are photosynthetic eukaryotes and contribute substantially to global carbon fixation. They are distantly related to green plants, having shared the same primary endosymbiotic event, although they subsequently underwent additional secondary endosymbioses. There are over 100,000 species of diatoms, of which two have been the greatest focus for genomic efforts. Falciatore et al. review current and future diatom research objectives. The article reviews the evolution and phylogeny of diatoms, their cell division and life cycle, and insights from genomic studies. The authors also review the processes of photosynthesis and nutrient uptake in diatoms and their environmental responses, and discuss them in comparison to the green algae and plants. (Summary by Mary Williams) Plant Cell 10.1105/tpc.19.00158