biostudies-literatureUnknown9(3)Johns CTMarine coccolithophores are globally distributed, unicellular phytoplankton that produce nanopatterned, calcite biominerals (coccoliths). These biominerals are synthesized internally, deposited into an extracellular coccosphere, and routinely released into the external medium, where they profoundly affect the global carbon cycle. The cellular costs and benefits of calcification remain unresolved. Here, we show observational and experimental evidence, supported by biophysical modeling, that free coccoliths are highly adsorptive biominerals that readily interact with cells to form chimeric coccospheres and with viruses to form "viroliths," which facilitate infection. Adsorption to cells is mediated by organic matter associated with the coccolith base plate and varies with biomineral morpholoScience advanceseadc8728https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9858585biostudies-literatureAdsorptive exchange of coccolith biominerals facilitates viral infection.PMC9858585Matthews AMatson PGBidle KDTaylor ARIglesias-Rodriguez MDJohns CTFuchs HLBondoc-Naumovitz KGfalseAdsorptive exchange of coccolith biominerals facilitates viral infection.Marine coccolithophores are globally distributed, unicellular phytoplankton that produce nanopatterned, calcite biominerals (coccoliths). These biominerals are synthesized internally, deposited into an extracellular coccosphere, and routinely released into the external medium, where they profoundly affect the global carbon cycle. The cellular costs and benefits of calcification remain unresolved. Here, we show observational and experimental evidence, supported by biophysical modeling, that free coccoliths are highly adsorptive biominerals that readily interact with cells to form chimeric coccospheres and with viruses to form "viroliths," which facilitate infection. Adsorption to cells is mediated by organic matter associated with the coccolith base plate and varies with biomineral morpholo2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2025-04-04T21:09:41.892Z2024-12-04T00:11:06.223ZS-EPMC98585853666286610.1126/sciadv.adc8728