What is it about?
Diatoms are unicellular eukaryotic organisms exclusively depositing biogenic silica.Calcite nanofibers within polysaccharide matrix of D. geminata stalks were identified by high resolution TEM and STEM electron microscopy.
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Why is it important?
The EDX mapping revealed the presence of C,O, Si and Ca in nanofibers plus traces of Al and S.The extensive colonization of benthic substrate occurs through prolific deposition of stalks that create thick mats with strong ecological/economic implications that have resulted in management and legislative actions in 3 continents.
Perspectives
Didymosphenia geminata possesses cellular and periplasmic carbonic-anhydrases that contribute to carbon fixation and biomineralization, respectively.
Professor Elzbieta Wyroba
Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology
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This page is a summary of: Multiphase Biomineralization: Enigmatic Invasive Siliceous Diatoms Produce Crystalline Calcite, Advanced Functional Materials, February 2016, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201504891.
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