Formation, Structure and Function of the Sea Urchin Spicule

动物使用从环境中提取的钙来形成矿化的硬组织，如贝壳、牙齿和骨骼。用来形成牙齿和骨骼的机制还不是很清楚。这项研究的中心问题是使用生化方法来了解细胞如何沉淀和结晶钙盐，然后形成牙齿和骨骼支持所需的美丽和有用的结构。拟议中的研究重点是海胆胚胎，它形成了由碳酸钙制成的精心制作的内部骨骼。构成这个骨骼的细胞和骨骼本身是可以接触到的，并且可以在这些透明的胚胎中实时研究骨骼的形成。我们希望了解骨骼中各种蛋白质的确切作用，以及它们如何影响骨骼的形成和性质。这种信息对了解脊椎动物的牙齿和骨骼是如何形成的非常有用。此外，蛋白质影响骨骼的材料特性(如柔韧性和硬度)的方式对假体和其他有用材料的合成具有重要意义。

Animals use calcium taken from the environment to formed mineralized hard tissues, like shells, teeth and bones. The mechanisms used to carry out the formation of teeth and skeletons are not well understood. The central issue addressed by this research is to use biochemical approaches to learn how cells can precipitate and crystallize calcium salts, and then form the beautiful and useful structures necessary for dentition and skeletal support. The proposed research focuses on the sea urchin embryo, which forms an elaborate internal skeleton made of calcium carbonate. The cells that make this skeleton, and the skeleton itself, are accessible and the formation of the skeleton can be investigated in real time in these transparent embryos. We expect to learn the precise role of various proteins found in the skeleton, and how they influence its formation and its properties. This kind of information is very useful in learning how vertebrate teeth and bones are formed. Furthermore, the way in which proteins influence the material properties (like flexibility and hardness) of the skeleton have implications for synthesis of prosthetics and other useful materials.