title: Analytical studies of silica biomineralization: towards an understanding of silica processing by diatoms.
abstract: Diatoms have continued to attract research interest over a long time. One important reason for this research interest is the amazingly beautiful microstructured and nanostructured patterning of the silica-based diatom cell walls. These materials become increasingly important from the materials science point of view. However, many aspects of diatom cell wall formation and patterning are still not fully understood. The present minireview article summarizes our recent knowledge especially with respect to two major topics related to diatom cell wall formation and patterning: (1) uptake and metabolism of silicon by living diatom cells and (2) understanding of the genetic control of cell wall formation. Analytical techniques as well as recent results concerning these two topics are highlighted in this review.
authors.affiliation: TU Dresden, Fachrichtung Chemie und Lebensmittelchemie, Bioanalytische Chemie, 01062, Dresden, Germany. eike.brunner@tu-dresden.de
authors.forename: Eike
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brunner
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gröger
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lutz
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Richthammer
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spinde
authors.forename: Manfred
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sumper
mesh_terms: D002473:Cell Wall / Q000378:metabolism; D017377:Diatoms / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008903:Minerals / Q000378:metabolism*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D012822:Silicon Dioxide