Beneath a plowed field, billions of microbes silently go to work. They don't know it, but they're changing the fate of the climate. A new protein, discovered by Guang He, allows these bacteria to devour nitrous oxide (N2O), a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2. It's an invisible operation, almost like a movie but without special effects: the bacteria transform a climate poison into neutral nitrogen. But there's a problem: can nature really keep up with our fertilizers, for the reduction of emissionsThe answer is in the soil, and it's not as simple as it seems.
The problem hidden in the soil
Nitrogen fertilizers, essential to feeding a planet with 8 billion mouths, release enormous quantities of N2O. This gas, which traps heat and eats away at ozone, is an insidious enemy: even a small amount causes disproportionate damage. As explained: Frank Loeffler,University of Tennessee, “small increases in N2O contribute disproportionately to rising global temperatures” (Nature, 2025). Agricultural production will not stop, and the problem grows. An ally is needed, and the soil seems to have one.
A protein that makes a difference in reducing emissions
The discovery of He and Loeffler, published in Nature, it's a twist: a new family of proteins, called L-NosZ, allows bacteria like serratia e Desulfosporosinus to reduce N2O to harmless nitrogen. Unlike known proteins, this one is unique: it does not fall into the canonical nitric oxide reductase groups. Laboratory tests have confirmed that it works, and works well, even in acidic soils where the reduction of emissions it seemed impossible (Environmental Microbiology, 2024). Researchers are now exploring how to enhance these microbes to balance the nitrogen cycle.
A curious fact? The L-NosZ protein was identified using advanced bioinformatics and artificial intelligence techniques, in collaboration with theOak Ridge National LaboratoryThis shows that technology, often accused of creating problems, can also solve them.
The paradox of our hunger
Yet, there's a jarring detail. The more food we produce, the more N2O we release. It's a bit like a dog chasing its tail: fertilizers feed us, but they poison the air. The discovery of this protein offers hope, but not a definitive solution. Microbes, however heroic, cannot compete with the industrial scale of our agriculture. And then, there's the human aspect: who convinces farmers to change established methods? reduction of emissions It requires not only science, but also political and cultural will, which often travel at different speeds.
Reducing emissions: a grounded hope
The road to the reduction of emissions It's a long road, but bacteria are pointing us in the right direction. Boosting soil microbes, perhaps with targeted biotechnology, could ease the burden of our climate impact. But let's not fool ourselves: no protein, no matter how ingenious, will solve everything on its own. As a recent article on ScienceDaily, the future of the fight against climate change depends on integrated solutions (ScienceDaily, 2025). Nature has done its part. Now it's up to us not to waste the opportunity.
In short, bacteria are seriously trying. But the question remains: how hard are we trying?
