Nature's nanotechnologists: unveiling the secrets of diatoms

Abstract

Diatoms are unicellular algae with ornate silica shells. Their dazzling ability to build tiny structures could inspire applications in the semiconductor industry, drug delivery, and engineering

Figure 1. Scanning Electron Micrographs of Diatoms

(A) Biddulphia reticulata. The whole shell or frustule of a centric diatom showing valves and girdle bands (size bar = 10 micrometres). (B) Diploneis sp. This picture shows two whole pennate diatom frustules in which raphes or slits, valves, and girdle bands can be seen (size bar = 10 micrometres). (C) Eupodiscus radiatus. View of a single valve of a centric diatom (size bar = 20 micrometres) (D) Melosira varians. The frustule of a centric diatom, showing both valves and some girdle bands (size bar = 10 micrometres). (Images courtesy of Mary Ann Tiffany, San Diego State University.)

Figure 3. Light Micrograph of Phaeodactylum tricornutum

This pennate diatom is the ‘lab rat’ of diatoms, and its genome sequence is currently being determined. (Image courtesy of Alessandra de Martino and Chris Bowler, Stazione Zoologica and Ecole Normale Supérieure.)

Figure 2. Diatoms in Art

(Image courtesy of David Roberts, University of Wales, Bangor, UK.)