Scientists discovered a unique archaeon blurring life's definition

Scientists have discovered a unique archaeon, Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, in marine plankton, challenging the definition of life due to its viral-like characteristics. This microbe can produce proteins but lacks metabolic pathways. The archaeon, with a stripped-down genome, relies on a host for survival, blurring the lines between cellular life and viruses. It possesses genes for protein production but lacks the ability to generate its own energy. This discovery, found within the plankton Citharistes regius, prompts a reevaluation of life's boundaries and evolutionary origins, potentially representing a missing link in biology.