First Direct Images of Asgard Archaeon-Bacterium Symbiosis Found in Ancient Stromatolites

Scientists have captured the first direct images of an Asgard archaeon physically connected to a bacterium inside ancient stromatolite communities. The two microbes appear to exchange nutrients and other compounds, suggesting a symbiotic relationship that may mirror interactions billions of years ago. By revealing a living example of early microbial cooperation, the discovery offers a tangible window into the processes that could have driven the emergence of complex cells. The finding supports the hypothesis that symbiosis played a key role in the origin of eukaryotes and provides a concrete model for future studies of early life evolution.