In Ascension

In Ascension by Martin MacInnes

A marine biologist explores algae that survive deep under the ocean. She is later recruited to be part of a space mission where the algae will help them to survive. The ship eventually goes back in time, maybe even seeding life on earth. The tone of the novel reminds me of the movie Oblivion. The novel spends much of the time covering the biologist and her family. It goes back to the history of Rotterdam to explore her family origin as well as details in the relationship with her parents and sister. The algae could survive but needed to merge with others to grow to help populate the earth.