Analytical studies of silica biomineralization: towards an understanding of silica processing by diatoms

Abstract

Diatoms have continued to attract research interest over a long time. One important reason for this research interest is the amazingly beautiful microstructured and nanostructured patterning of the silica-based diatom cell walls. These materials become increasingly important from the materials science point of view. However, many aspects of diatom cell wall formation and patterning are still not fully understood. The present minireview article summarizes our recent knowledge especially with respect to two major topics related to diatom cell wall formation and patterning: (1) uptake and metabolism of silicon by living diatom cells and (2) understanding of the genetic control of cell wall formation. Analytical techniques as well as recent results concerning these two topics are highlighted in this review.

A Review of the Stable Isotope Bio-geochemistry of the Global Silicon Cycle and Its Associated Trace Elements

“…Details on the process of silicification can be found in the literature for diatoms (Hildebrand et al, 1997;Martin-Jezequel et al, 2000;Claquin et al, 2002;Hildebrand, 2008;Thamatrakoln and Hildebrand, 2008;Brunner et al, 2009;Thamatrakoln and Kustka, 2009), sponges (Wilkinson and Garrone, 1980;Reincke and Barthel, 1997;Cha et al, 1999;Maldonado et al, 1999Maldonado et al, , 2005Brümmer, 2003;Uriz et al, 2003;Muller et al, 2007;Schröder et al, 2007), and higher plants (Takahashi et al, 1990;Ma et al, 2001Ma et al, , 2006.…”

Deformation Modes and Structural Response of Diatom Frustules

“…In some diatom species, it is typical to find frustules naturally deformed into patterns suggestive of mechanical phenomena. One possible explanation for this apparently aberrant phenomenon is the presence of significant mechanical variables during morphogenesis in addition to the more thoroughly accounted-for chemical variables [28,29]. If proven true, the hypothesis of mechanically-driven formation of frustules could lead to valuable insights for the development of manufacturing methods for diatom-inspired structures.…”

NMR of Macromolecular Assemblies and Machines at 1 GHz and Beyond: New Transformative Opportunities for Molecular Structural Biology

“…Structural features of the diatom cell wall are of interest for a wide range of applications including biotechnology, catalysis, and nanotechnology (197). 29 Si NMR is a common approach for studies of both whole cell and isolated cell wall components of diatoms (see (198) for review). While to our knowledge, ultrahigh field studies have not been reported to date, this is another active field of biosilica research that may benefit from greater magnetic field strengths and associated advances.…”