Functionalization of the living diatom Thalassiosira weissflogii with thiol moieties

Yvonne Lang, Francisco del Monte (), Liam Collins, Brian J. Rodriguez, Kerry Thompson, Peter Dockery, David P. Finn () and Abhay Pandit
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Yvonne Lang: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, National University of Ireland
Francisco del Monte: Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Campus de Cantoblanco
Liam Collins: Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research and School of Physics, University College Dublin
Brian J. Rodriguez: Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research and School of Physics, University College Dublin
Kerry Thompson: Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland
Peter Dockery: Anatomy, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland
David P. Finn: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine and Centre for Pain Research, National University of Ireland
Abhay Pandit: Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials, National University of Ireland

Nature Communications, 2013, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Biomineralization processes identified within diatoms have inspired the design of synthetic silica structures in vitro using alkoxysilane precursors. Here we explore the use of the machinery within the living diatom to fabricate organo-silica constructs using a combination of alkoxysilane and organoalkoxysilane precursors. We report on the incorporation of thiol moieties into the diatom during frustule synthesis. Formation of valves within the parent diatom is monitored using fluorescence microscopy, and the modification of the chemical composition of the diatom is confirmed using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and 29Si-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Chemical modification is achieved without loss of the nano-scale architectural features of the frustule. Extension of this work may allow the chemistry of the diatom to be tailored during synthesis.

Date: 2013
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms3683

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