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Author Spotlight: Diatom Testing for Forensic Drowning Examination
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Diatom frustules protect DNA from ultraviolet light
Luis Ever Aguirre1, Liangqi Ouyang1, Anders Elfwing1
1Biomolecular and organic electronics, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden.
Scientific Reports
|March 25, 2018
Summary
Diatoms create silica cages that protect their DNA from ultraviolet light. This UV protection may explain the evolutionary origin of these intricate glass structures in algae.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Biomineralization
Background:
- Diatoms are photosynthetic algae crucial for global oxygen production and primary productivity.
- They construct intricate silica exoskeletons (frustules) classified by species.
- Fossilized diatom structures form diatomaceous earth deposits globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary reasons behind silica nanostructure formation in diatoms.
- To explore the functional role of these silica structures for algal survival.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of diatom silica nanostructures.
- Investigating the optical properties of silica.
- Assessing the impact of UV light on diatom DNA.
Main Results:
- Nanostructured silica reflects ultraviolet (UV) light.
- This UV reflection provides a protective shield for the algal cell's deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA).
Conclusions:
- UV light reflection by silica nanostructures is a potential evolutionary driver for diatom cage formation.
- This mechanism offers a survival advantage against DNA damage from UV radiation.
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