Cyanobacteria biomineralized material for offshore applications

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic microorganisms found in a variety of environments, including marine water bodies. Some species are able to perform biomineralization, producing minerals such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3) that may act as biocement. The biomineralization capability of cyanobacteria has already been explored in the development of...

ROCK and the actomyosin network control biomineral growth and morphology during sea urchin skeletogenesis

Biomineralization had apparently evolved independently in different phyla, using distinct minerals, organic scaffolds, and gene regulatory networks (GRNs). However, diverse eukaryotes from unicellular organisms, through echinoderms to vertebrates, use the actomyosin network during biomineralization. Specifically, the actomyosin remodeling...

Scalable bacterial production of moldable and recyclable biomineralized cellulose with tunable mechanical properties

Sustainable structural materials with excellent impact-resistance properties are urgently needed but challenging to produce, especially in a scalable fashion and with control over 3D shape. Here, we show that bacterial cellulose (BC) and bacterially precipitated calcium carbonate self-assemble into a layered structure reminiscent of tough...

Characterization of Enzymatically Synthesized Titania Thin Films Using Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy Reveals Low-Cost Approach for Organic/Inorganic Photovoltaic Cells

A new method is developed to produce mesoporous titania thin films at room temperature using the enzyme papain in a dip-coating procedure, providing low-cost titania films in a sustainable manner. Quartz crystal microbalance, positron annihilation Doppler broadening and lifetime spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray...

Mn/Ca ratios of Ammonia tepida as a proxy for seasonal coastal hypoxia

Climate variability has major implications for marine geochemical cycles and biogenic carbonate production. Therefore, past climate-driven changes in marine environments are often inferred from geochemical data of the marine carbonate archive. Proxy calibration studies are essential for the reconstruction of such past environmental changes....

Assessment of the functionality of bacteria-based repair system for concrete through ESEM analysis

Biodeposition, a method by which calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation is induced by bacteria, has been proposed as an interesting approach to protect building materials. The liquid-based system presented in this paper aims at the sealing of cracks and decrease of the porosity due to the production of a calcium-based biomineral. In this system...

Improvement on bacteria-induced calcium mineralization ability of Bacillus pseudofirmus by an integrated high-throughput screening strategy

The CaCO3-mineralizing bacteria from different taxonomic groups have shown potential in restoration of construction material such as concretes, cements and stony materials. However, these strains are far from the demand of practical application due to some shortages, including the low mineralizing capacity. In this work, an integrated high...

Improvement on bacteria-induced calcium mineralization ability of Bacillus pseudofirmus by an integrated high-throughput screening strategy

The CaCO3-mineralizing bacteria from different taxonomic groups have shown potential in restoration of construction material such as concretes, cements and stony materials. However, these strains are far from the demand of practical application due to some shortages, including the low mineralizing capacity. In this work, an integrated high...