Submitted by Piotr...
Today I attended a meeting dedicated to nanobiology (another recent buzzword). One of the speakers, prof. Daniel Morse from UC Santa Barbara, talked about synthesis of nanostructures using silicatein. Silicatein is an enzyme extracted from marine glass sponges, that catalyzes synthesis of silica. Sponges use it to build their glass skeleton. Synthesis of glass occurs at low temperature and at neutral pH - not an easy task for human engineer! But, in experiments, metaloorganic compounds are used as silicatein substrates. Thus, it is possible to create complex patterned nanostructures. Can you imagine? Perhaps soon we will employ internal mechanisms of sponges or radiolarians to create structures that are not only beautiful, but also useful. Catalysts, sensors, microelectronics. What a wicked idea - but very cool!
Pictured are sponge spicules found in a sample of radiolarian ooze:
10x objective, darkfield
Sponge spicules and nanotechnology...piotr
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