Nanostructural features of demosponge biosilica

Weaver, James C.; Pietrasanta, Lı́a I.; Hedin, Niklas; Chmelka, Bradley F.; Hansma, Paul K.; Morse, Daniel E.

doi:10.1016/j.jsb.2003.09.031

Cited by 96 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…To gain additional insight into the structure and composition of these spicules, we performed a series of etching experiments (16) with either HF (12) or NaOCl (13). HF treatment produced spicules with a characteristic, hollow, conical morphology (Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Variations in the fine structure across the spicule were further investigated by treatment with NaOCl (13,16). After exposure to this alkaline etchant, selective removal of the OF was observed and the smooth surfaces of the spicules became considerably coarsened.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thereafter, the spicules were treated with 5% hydrogen fluoride solution or 5% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 min, rinsed extensively in water and ethanol, and blow-dried. Both of these techniques (HF and NaOCl etching) have, with slight modifications, previously proved useful in the elucidation of siliceous spicule substructure (12,13). The fibers were then mounted onto scanning electron microscope (SEM) aluminum stubs by using conductive carbon tape, sputter-coated with Ϸ10-20 nm of gold (Au), and imaged in a JEOL JSM 5600LV SEM (operating voltage 15 keV, working distance 12 mm).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties

Aizenberg

Sundar

Yablon

et al. 2004

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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238

166

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Biological systems have, through the course of time, evolved unique solutions for complex optical problems. These solutions are often achieved through a sophisticated control of fine structural features. Here we present a detailed study of the optical properties of basalia spicules from the glass sponge Euplectella aspergillum and reconcile them with structural characteristics. We show these biosilica fibers to have a distinctive layered design with specific compositional variations in the glass͞organic composite and a corresponding nonuniform refractive index profile with a highindex core and a low-index cladding. The spicules can function as single-mode, few-mode, or multimode fibers, with spines serving as illumination points along the spicule shaft. The presence of a lens-like structure at the end of the fiber increases its lightcollecting efficiency. Although free-space coupling experiments emphasize the similarity of these spicules to commercial optical fibers, the absence of any birefringence, the presence of technologically inaccessible dopants in the fibers, and their improved mechanical properties highlight the advantages of the low-temperature synthesis used by biology to construct these remarkable structures.T he class Hexactinellida, of the phylum Porifera, the so-called glass sponges of the deep sea, consists of Ͼ500 extant species as well as a considerable number of extinct members extending from the early Cambrian period to the present (1). Their mineralized skeletons have been shown to be composed of spicules of amorphous hydrated silica deposited around a proteinaceous axial filament. Depending on the particular species, spicule morphology, and location within the sponge, the function of these spicules varies from a predation deterrent to providing the bulk of the sponge's mechanical rigidity (2, 3). In other instances, the spicules are modified into elaborate fibrous anchoring structures that permit the successful colonization on soft sediments (2, 3). More recent work has investigated potential optical roles for these fibers (4-7). The presence of apex type structures on the top of spicules from the hexactinellid sponge Rosella racovitzae, for example, was shown to enhance the light acceptance angles into these large fibers, thus considerably improving their ability to effectively channel ambient light (4).Recently, we suggested that spicules from another hexactenellid sponge, Euplectella aspergillum (Venus' flower basket), have fiber-optical characteristics similar to those of commercial telecommunications fibers (6). The Euplectella species live at depths ranging from 35 to 5,000 m in a cold environment, frequently with no ambient sunlight (8-10). The mineralized skeleton of E. aspergillum consists of an intricate cylindrical cage-like construction composed of a lattice of spicules imbedded in a secondarily deposited silica matrix that provides extended structural rigidity (Fig. 1a). The cage is typically inhabited by a pair of symbiotic shrimps. At the base of the sponge are the basalia, a...

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties

Aizenberg

Sundar

Yablon

et al. 2004

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

Self Cite

238

166

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“…Recently, biominerals including bones, 4a,4e nacreous layers of seashells, 56 stereom of sea urchin spines, 57 diatoms, 58 and iron-oxidizing bacteria, 59 have been reported to be constructed of nanoscale building blocks. We have proposed that bridged nanocrystals with incorporation of organic polymers occur in real biominerals.…”

Section: -55mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Biomimetic Approach for Hierarchically Structured Inorganic Crystals through Self-Organization

Imai¹,

Oaki²,

Kotachi³

2006

Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Japan

131

103

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Here, we describe a biomimetic pathway for the synthesis of hierarchically structured inorganic crystals. In artificial systems mimicking biomineralization, versatile morphogenesis was achieved with the construction of bridged nanocrystals through self-organization by controlling growth with polymeric molecules such as a gel matrix and soluble anionic polymers. The self-organized formation of bridged crystals in hierarchical architectures is a possible new paradigm for advanced materials processing which could afford new inorganic-organic nanocomposites for use as novel functional materials.

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“…The data on the general sponge morphology of S. lacustris forms have been summarized [9][10][11][12]. In these papers the phenotypic characterization of sponge body structures has been described (e.g., surface morphology, shape and ornamentation of spicules, gemmule structure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SEM-EDS and X-ray micro computed tomography studies of skeletal surface pattern and body structure in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris collected from Goczalkowice reservoir habit (Southern Poland)

Karcz

Woźnica

Binkowski

et al. 2015

Folia Histochem Cytobiol.

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Introduction. Freshwater sponges are common animals of most aquatic ecosystems. They feed by filtering small particles from the water, and so are thought to be sensitive indicators of pollution. Sponges are strongly associated with the abiotic environment and are therefore used as bioindicators for monitoring of water quality in water habitats. Among the freshwater sponges, Spongilla lacustris is one of the classic models used to study evolution, gene regulation, development, physiology and structural biology in animal water systems. It is also important in diagnostic of aquatic environments. The aim of this study was to characterize and visualize three-dimensional architecture of sponge body and measure skeleton elements of S. lacustris from Goczalkowice reservoir for identification purposes. Material and methods. The scanning electron microscopy with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM--EDS) and X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) were used to provide non-invasive visualization of the three-dimensional architecture of Spongilla lacustris body. Results. We showed that sponge skeleton was not homogeneous in composition and comprised several forms of skeleton organization. Ectosomal skeleton occurred as spicular brushes at apices of primary fibres with cementing spongin material. Choanosomal skeletal architecture was alveolate with pauci-to multispicular primary fibres connected by paucispicular transverse fibres, made by megascleres embedded in a scanty spongin matrix both in the choanosome and at the sponge surface. In contrast, microscleres were irregularly scattered in choanosome and skeletal surface. Furthermore, SEM-EDS studies showed that the distribution of silica in megascleres and microscleres was observed along the spicules and sponge surface areas. Conclusions. In conclusion, we showed that the combination of SEM-EDS and micro-CT microscopy techniques allowed obtaining a complete picture of the sponge spatial architecture. SEM-EDS and X-ray micro-CT studies of freshwater sponge

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Nanostructural features of demosponge biosilica

Cited by 96 publications

References 54 publications

Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties

Biological glass fibers: Correlation between optical and structural properties

A Biomimetic Approach for Hierarchically Structured Inorganic Crystals through Self-Organization

SEM-EDS and X-ray micro computed tomography studies of skeletal surface pattern and body structure in the freshwater sponge Spongilla lacustris collected from Goczalkowice reservoir habit (Southern Poland)

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