Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, half a century of archaeal research.

Over five decades, Sulfolobus acidocaldarius has advanced as a key model for archaeal biology, contributing to understanding of metabolism, cell biology, and evolution.

• Why it matters: Understanding archaeal systems is crucial for insights into early life and evolutionary processes, yet research tools and knowledge have historically been limited.
• What they did: Researchers have developed genetic and microscopy tools over 50 years, enabling studies on chromosome organization, DNA replication, cell division, and surface structures in S. acidocaldarius.
• The result: These advances have improved understanding of archaeal physiology and evolution, and S. acidocaldarius remains vital for biotechnological applications and exploring eukaryotic origins.