Unlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newsletters Unlock unlimited access to all our award-winning journalism, subscriber-only podcasts and newsletters _C HLAMYDOMONAS REINHARDTII_ is not an obvious subject for high-profile research. It is a pear-shaped, single-celled alga which swims around ponds propelled by two flagella. As a photosynthetic organism, which subsists by converting visible light into chemical energy, it often uses those thin appendages to swim towards sources of light.
When doing so it is guided by a reddish patch made of protein known as an eyespot. And, in an example of the potential value of even the most off-the-wall scientific research, studying exactly how this eyespot works has led to both a new scientific field, called optogenetics, and this year’s Nobel prize for physiology or medicine. To enhance your experience and ensure our website runs smoothly, we use cookies and similar technologies.
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