Naslov
Supramolecular organization and process of marine gel network formation visualized by atomic force microscopy

Autori
Svetličić, Vesna ; Mišić, Tea ; Žutić, Vera ; Urbani, Ranieri ; Boulgaropouls, Beate

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, ostalo

Izvornik
Book of abstracts, Regional Biophysics Conference 2009 / Institute of Biophysics - Linz, 2009, 68-68

Skup
Regional Biophysical Conference 2009 Linz

Mjesto i datum
Linz, Austrija, 10.02.2009. - 14.02.2009

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Pozvano predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
atomic force microscopy ; marine gel network ; supramolecular organization
(microscopy ; marine gel network ; supramolecular organization)

Sažetak
The self-assembly of marine biopolymers into gel phase has recently emerged as the dominant concept of abioticaly formed marine organic structures [1]. The macroscopic gel phase appears episodically in the northern Adriatic Sea. The phenomenon manifests itself in rapid production of enormous amounts of gelatinous matter - marine gel. Organic fraction of marine gel is mainly composed of polysaccharides, while proteins and lipids are present in small amounts. Although chemical composition of marine gel has been largely studied, determination of the structural parameters remains much more difficult, mainly due to the complexity and heterogeneity of native gel material [2]. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has become an important technique for studying biopolymers since it offers high spatial resolution in three dimensions, down to subnanometer level with minimally perturbing sample preparation. We used AFM to study supramolecular organization of marine gel and its polysaccharide fraction at the molecular scale to reveal molecular mechanism of gel formation. Thermal denaturation of marine gel network to nanocolloid upon heating and renaturation of the network after cooling was directly visualized by AFM. These results directly demonstrate the capacity of marine polysaccharides to selfassamble into complex gel network, but also reveal the molecular mechanism of gel formation in the ocean. References [1] Verdugo P., A. L. Alldredge, F. Azam, D. L. Kirchmand, U. Passowe, P. H. Santschi. 2004. The oceanic gel phase: a bridge in the DOM– POM continuum. Marine Chem. 92:67-85. [2] Giani, M., A. Rinaldi, D. Degobbis, R. Vollenweider (eds.). 2005. Mucilages in the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas. Sci. Total Environ. 353:1-379.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Geologija, Kemija

POVEZANOST RADA