Being the primary energy producers of the microscopic marine world, the number of organisms which are indirectly dependent on diatoms is staggering. Almost all marine fish and crustacean species feed on plankton, either as larvae or as adults, and even the mightiest creatures on Earth, the cetaceans (whales, that is) often subside on little else. So diatoms are pretty important. On top of this, they are the primary carbon-fixing organisms of the most extensive ecosystems on Earth. This enormous potential resource might bear thinking about as we (presumably) head on our merry way towards climatic doom.
Within just about any soil and water source imaginable lie the diatoms – microscopic beings whose beauty is similar to that of abstract mathematics. Once favoured for their complex fractal shapes by infamous 19th century pioneering zoologist (and eugenicist!) Ernst Haeckel, diatoms have been a source of inspiration to both scientists and artists ever since. But what exactly are they?
During Victorian times, it became quite fashionable for microscopists to form microscopic images using the fustules of diatoms. Using appropriate tools, the fustules were cleaned and moved into position to form geometric patterns or images of flowers and birds no more than a millimetre or two across. Clearly a hobby that requires an abundance of patience, but there are still those who enjoy doing so.
double-labeled cell culture 
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