Plasticity and robustness of pattern formation in the model diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum.
- M. Vartanian, J. Desclés, Michelle Quinet, S. Douady, P. Lopez
- BiologyNew Phytologist
- 1 April 2009
Investigation of the spatial and temporal development of siliceous structures found in a model diatom species, Phaeodactylum tricornutum, reveals that the process of silicification starts from a 'pi-like' structure that controls the spatial organization of a sternum upon which regular instabilities are initiated and developed.
New tools for labeling silica in living diatoms.
- J. Desclés, M. Vartanian, P. Lopez
- BiologyNew Phytologist
- 1 February 2008
New probes were developed specifically to label the pre-existing or the newly synthesized silica frustule of several diatoms species, and it was demonstrated that methoxysilane derivatives can be coupled to fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate (FITC) to preferentially label the silica components of living cells.