PLoS Biology November 25, 2025

Diverse biophysical and molecular mechanisms drive phytoplankton sinking in response to starvation

by Yanqi Wu, Vieyiti K. Kouadio, Thomas R. Usherwood, Justin Li, Margaret Bisher, Reshum Aurora, Aaron Z. Lam, Alice R. Lam, Abigail K. R. Lytton-Jean, Scott R. Manalis, Teemu P. Miettinen Marine phytoplankton face eco-evolutionary pressure to regulate their vertical position in the ocean to access light, which is abundant towards the surface, and nutrients, which are found deeper down the water column. All phytoplankton experience gravitational sinking, which can contribute to their vertical m