Coccolithophores

Research

Bioinspiration from Coccolithophore Crystallization Pathway

Coccolithophores are one of the most prolific calcifying organisms in our ecosystem. These single-celled marine algae directly impact the exchange of CO2 between the ocean and the air through the formation of calcite skeletons. Researchers have recently been intrigued by the control these organisms exert over the mineralization process and have been studying the pathway that leads to such intricate calcitic scales. These algae can template a complex coacervate (a complex of biomolecules and calcium ions) during this process, although the exact role of this step is not fully known.  My project takes bio-inspiration from this crystallization pathway to explore how complex coacervates of various polymers and metal ions could be templated via an analogous synthetic system. Coacervates synthesized and stabilized in solution have long been used in cell growth and biomaterials fields but control of complex coacervate surface templating is still an area that must be improved upon. Establishing control over coacervate patterning on patterned surfaces would be very valuable in many fields, particularly for cell growth/templating and biomedical applications.

Towards Control of Complex Coacervate Templating with Microcontact Printing Self-Assembled Monolayers

Coccolithophores are single-celled marine algae that impact the ocean-air exchange of CO2 by prolifically forming calcite skeletons. Taking inspiration from the control exerted over the crystallization pathway, establishing control over an analogous synthetic system to template complex coacervates of various polymers and metal ions would be valuable in cell growth/templating, biomedical applications, and better understanding the biological system. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) for the characterization of microcontact printed (MCP) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) show an optimized set of conditions to template a complex coacervate on a SAMs surface. The SAMs of various terminal chemistries (amine, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and methyl) on microcontact printed gold-silicon substrates are patterned via PDMS stamps. The SAMs templates reacted with Ca, Fe, and Zn (metal or counter ion) precursors and charged polymers to create a similar synthetic coacervate to the coccolithophore system. Characterization of these surfaces with SEM and EDS shows distinct patterning of the metal ion–polymer coacervate taking place in line with hypothesized electrostatic interactions. Corresponding Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) measurements of three metal ions–Iron(Fe), Zinc(Zn), and Calcium(Ca)– and three anionic polymers (PMA, PAA 8 kDa and 250 kDa) to get surface charge and size approximations for the various coacervates in solution. DLS measurements yielded results confirming the hypothesis for the iron and calcium ions but require further testing for the zinc ions. Further testing is underway for varying concentrations of the metal ion-polymer complexes to solidify the proof of this hypothesis. Future research will utilize the same MCP SAMs methods with fluorescently labeled polymers to provide a complete picture of complex coacervate patterning control.

Grants & Collaborations

  • Grant for 2022-2023 Academic Year.

Poster presented at 2023 graduate symposium for Master’s of Engineering Program.