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Increasing Durability of Dissociated Neural Cell Cultures Using Biologically Active Coralline Matrix
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Hierarchically structured scleractinian coral biocrystals.

Radosław Przeniosło1, Jarosław Stolarski, Maciej Mazur

  • 1Institute of Experimental Physics, University of Warsaw, Hoza 69, PL-00-681 Warsaw, Poland. radek@fuw.edu.pl

Journal of Structural Biology
|November 14, 2007
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scleractinian coral fibers, composed of nanocrystalline aragonite, form larger aggregates due to biomineralization cycles. Biopolymer intercalation influences coral bio-aragonite structure and strain anisotropy.

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Area of Science:

  • Biomineralization
  • Coral Reefs
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Scleractinian corals form intricate calcium carbonate skeletons crucial for reef ecosystems.
  • Understanding the micro- and nano-structure of coral biomineral fibers is key to deciphering their formation and properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To reconcile conflicting microscopic and diffraction data on scleractinian coral biomineral fiber structure.
  • To propose a novel minute-scale model for scleractinian biomineral fibers.
  • To investigate the influence of biopolymers on coral bio-aragonite structure.

Main Methods:

  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) for microscopic observations.
  • Synchrotron (SR) diffraction for crystallite size analysis.
  • Analysis of extant (Desmophyllum, Favia) and fossil (Jurassic Isastrea) coral samples.

Main Results:

  • Microscopy revealed nanocrystalline aragonite grains (30-100 nm) in coral fibers.
  • SR diffraction suggested larger crystallite sizes, creating a discrepancy.
  • A new model proposes interconnected nanocrystalline aragonite aggregates (>200 nm) formed by mineral bridges.
  • Biopolymer intercalation was identified, leading to larger lattice parameters and internal strains in bio-aragonite compared to mineral aragonite.
  • Anisotropy in lattice parameter elongation and internal strain was observed relative to crystallographic axes.

Conclusions:

  • The minute-scale model reconciles microscopic and diffraction data, explaining coral fiber structure.
  • Biomineralization cycles likely control the formation of aragonite aggregates.
  • Biopolymer intercalation significantly modifies the structural properties of scleractinian coral bio-aragonite, inducing anisotropy.