Clues about complex life come from freshly cultivated archaea

Two archaeal strains that belong to a lineage closely related to the ancestor of eukaryotic cells (complex cells with membrane-bound organelles) have been brought into culture. Their simple internal organization, elaborate surface structures, microbial partnerships and protein-dependent lifestyle provide clues about how eukaryotic cells arose. Two archaeal strains that share a common ancestor with eukaryotic cells have been examined in culture.