Sea Urchin Biomineralization: A Secondary Ion Mass Spectroscopy(SIMS) Analysis
EMSL Project ID
2397
Abstract
The purpose of this proposal is to obtain access to the facilities and equipment at the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), Pacific Northwest Laboratory to further the understanding of biomineralization; specifically, the biomineralization of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a species of sea urchin found on the Pacific Coastline of the United States. Through collaborative efforts at EMSL, it is hoped that mechanisms of how S. purpuratus is able to convert amorphous calcium carbonate to crystalline calcium carbonate and what roles do proteins found in these biomineralized structures serve in the process of biomineralization. The samples will consist of endoskeletons of S. purpuratus larvae. The sea urchin endoskeleton is comprised of alternating layers of proteins and calcite. These proteins, spicule matrix proteins, are hypothesized to interact with amorphous calcium carbonate in such a way as to lower the activation energies in converting from the amorphous form to the crystalline form of calcium carbonate. The center region of the endoskeleton contains amorphous calcium carbonate, whereas the outer regions are calcite. Determining the protein distributions within the endoskeleton, from center to the outer regions, the purposes of these proteins can be accomplished; determing whether the proteins are for structural purposes or for crystalline conversion. Hence, it would be advantages to obtain an elemental profile of the endoskeleton as a function of depth and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) would be invaluable for such an analysis. Attached Figures: Figure 1: Cross-sectional view of an endoskeletal rod (spicule) Figure 2: Cross-sectional view of an endoskeletal rod (spicule) Figure 3: Cross-sectional view of an endoskeletal rod (spicule) Figure 4: Spicules Figure 5: Cross-sectional view of an endoskeletal rod (spicule)
Project Details
Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2002-01-07
End Date
2003-01-14
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator