Microbe with the smallest genome yet pushes the boundaries of life

Microbe with the smallest genome yet pushes the boundaries of life

• Symbiotic bacteria live inside specialised organs called bacteriomes within insects. • This image shows a cross-section of the planthopperCallodictya krueperi, with fluorescent p

Science · February 19, 2026 (updated February 24, 2026) · 2 min · 271 words