The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation's Marine Microbiology Initiative supports Dr. Mak Saito at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute to study the relationships between marine microorganisms and the cycles of various metals in the ocean environment. Metals are important because they are found in key nutrients -- vitamin B12, for example, contains cobalt. This fanciful story for Oceanus Magazine by Erin Bertrand explains the relationship of a diatom to vitamin B12, which is critical for its survival.  

Read the story here: 

www.whoi.edu/oceanus/viewArticle.do?id=113369&sectionid=1020&tr=y&auid=9617986