This year, Ateneo de Manila University’s Department of Biology and University Malaysia Sarawak released research about a newly discovered organism.

These are diatoms, tiny organisms belonging to the algae family, commonly found in water and land environments.

Although they are very small and require a microscope to see, they are still an essential part of our ecosystem.

But did you know that some diatoms are extremely dangerous and can cause illness?

Some contain toxins or poisons as a defense mechanism.

Examples include Pseudo-nitzschia pungens or P. pungens and the newly discovered Pseudo-nitzschia brasiliana or P. brasiliana in the Philippines.

Their toxins can cause memory loss, dizziness, and loss of balance when they enter our body.

Despite their small size, they remain important in nature.

They are responsible for producing 20-50% of the oxygen in the world, which is crucial for all living beings.

They also serve as food for small fish in the ocean.

Currently, extensive studies are being conducted on them.

One of the objectives of the research is to identify which species of diatoms can release toxins harmful to humans, how they release them, and how we can prevent them.

**VALERIE ANN DISMAYA