title: Applications of diatoms as potential microalgae in nanobiotechnology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diatoms are single cell eukaryotic microalgae, which present in nearly every water habitat make them ideal tools for a wide range of applications such as oil explora-tion, forensic examination, environmental indication, biosilica pattern generation, toxicity testing and eutrophication of aqueous ecosystems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Essential information on diatoms were reviewed and discussed towards impacts of diatoms on biosynthesis and bioremediation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this review, we present the recent progress in this century on the application of diatoms in waste degradation, synthesis of biomaterial, biomineraliza-tion, toxicity and toxic effects of mineral elements evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diatoms can be considered as metal toxicity bioindicators and they can be applied for biomineralization, synthesis of biomaterials, and degradation of wastes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioinformatics, Research Institute of Physiology and Biotechnology (RIPB), Zanjan University, Zanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Akbar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Jamali
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akbari
authors.forename: Mohamad Moradi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ghorakhlu
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de la Guardia
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yari Khosroushahi
keywords: Bioindicators; Biomineralization; Bioremediation; Biosynthesis; Diatoms