Synthetic Biology - Applications - Silica Deposition

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Researcher

Afshan Shaikh

Project Description

Diatoms, unicellular photosynthetic algae, have ornate species-specific cell walls made of amorphous silica. Several classes of diatoms exhibit fractal pore patterns wherein progressively smaller pores are nested to form self-similar patterns. There is great curiosity in the scientific field about the processes involved in the creation of these intricate patterns because they are far superior to man-made materials. Unfortunately there is limited knowledge about the molecular mechanism of biosilicification. Our work focuses on understanding the silica deposition process in diatoms to create siliceous materials with three-dimensional structures on the micro- and nanoscales at ambient temperature and pressure.

Funding source

NSF COINS program