LEAPS-MPS: Investigating the role of carbohydrate-mineral interactions

该奖项全部或部分由2021年美国救援计划法案（公法117-2）资助。 非技术总结生物体构建骨骼元素，这些元素具有多种功能，从机械支撑到保护装甲。生物矿化中一个有趣的现象是有机分子进入生长的晶体，这深刻地改变了矿物的宏观性质和功能。已知蛋白质在控制矿物质形成方面起着关键作用，而糖的影响却知之甚少。通过使用定义良好的模型系统，这项研究将推进我们对多糖-矿物质相互作用的基本理解。将生物构造原理转移到工业过程中有可能使实际应用受益，例如环境友好的耐腐蚀陶瓷合成，模拟自然界中的矿化结构。这一领域的进展将使不同学科受益，包括但不限于材料科学、聚合物化学、纳米技术、地球科学或生物医学工程。具体的例子包括陨石上的矿物质催化的糖合成或人体内的病理矿化过程。首席研究员旨在通过教育推广活动扩大代表性不足的少数民族，妇女和K-12学生在STEM中的参与。从少数民族服务机构的学生的早期研究参与的目的是创造一个管道的STEM人才。第2部分： 生物矿物中的一个有趣现象是有机物质被包含在生长的晶体中，这对材料的宏观性质具有重要意义。先前的研究表明，晶体内蛋白质在控制矿物形成中起着关键作用。然而，多糖在调节生物矿化中的作用目前还没有得到很好的确立，尽管它们经常出现在生物产生的晶体中，并且通常构成有机-矿物界面的很大一部分。拟议研究的主要目标是通过调查碳水化合物在矿化中的作用来解决这一知识缺口。拟议的工作将集中在基于天然存在的矿物质和多糖的体外模型系统上，这些模型系统密切模仿活生物体中有机基质的基本相互作用，同时消除与生命系统相关的复杂性和异质性。将通过缓慢扩散法制备具有多糖内含物的单晶，并使用电子显微镜、振动光谱和X射线散射的组合分析其分级结构和化学组成。该研究将深入了解多糖掺入晶体的机制，以及化学组成，结构组织和晶体取向之间的关系。这项研究进一步寻求开发可持续的合成方案，模拟生物圈中的碳水化合物矿化结构。该项目旨在通过外联活动扩大代表性不足的少数群体、妇女和K-12学生的参与。具体来说，PI打算开发一个新的生物矿化课程和在线学习模块，以整合STEM教育和研究。PI计划为少数民族服务机构的中学生组织一次水晶暑期学校。高中和本科生将通过教师指导的学术和暑期研究项目提供学习机会生物启发矿化。这个奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并已被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估的支持。

This award is funded in whole or in part under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).PART 1: NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARYLiving organisms build skeletal elements that serve a variety of functions, ranging from mechanical support to protective armor. An intriguing phenomenon in biomineralization is the incorporation of organic molecules into a growing crystal, which profoundly alters the mineral’s macroscopic properties and function. Proteins are known to play a critical role in controlling mineral formation, while the impact of sugars is yet poorly understood. By using well-defined model systems, this research will advance our fundamental understanding of polysaccharide-mineral interactions. Transferring biological construction principles to industrial processes has the potential to benefit practical applications, such as the environmentally friendly synthesis of fracture-resistant ceramics that emulate mineralized structures in nature. Progress in this area will benefit diverse disciplines, including but not limited to materials science, polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, geosciences, or biomedical engineering. Specific examples include the mineral-catalyzed sugar synthesis on meteorites or pathological mineralization processes in the human body. The principal investigator aims at broadening the participation of under-represented minorities, women and K-12 students in STEM through educational outreach activities. Early research engagement of students from minority-serving institutions is intended to create a pipeline for STEM talent.PART 2: TECHNICAL SUMMARYAn intriguing phenomenon in biogenic minerals is the inclusion of organic matter into a growing crystal, which has important implications for the material’s macroscopic properties. Prior investigations have revealed that intracrystalline proteins play a critical role in controlling mineral formation. However, the role of polysaccharides in regulating biomineralization is not well established at present, although they occur frequently in biologically produced crystals and often constitute a large portion of the organic-mineral interphase. The main objective of the proposed research is to address this knowledge gap by investigating the role that carbohydrates play in mineralization. The proposed work will focus on in vitro model systems based on naturally occurring minerals and polysaccharides, which closely mimic fundamental interactions of the organic matrix in living organisms, while eliminating the complexity and heterogeneity associated with living systems. Single crystals with polysaccharide inclusions will be prepared by a slow diffusion method and analyzed for their hierarchical structure and chemical composition using a combination of electron microscopy, vibrational spectroscopy, and X-ray scattering. The study will give insights into the mechanism of polysaccharide incorporation into crystals, and the relationship between chemical composition, structural organization, and crystallographic orientation. This research further seeks to develop sustainable synthesis protocols that emulate carbohydrate-mineralized structures in the biosphere. This project intends to broaden the participation of underrepresented minorities, women and K-12 students through outreach activities. Specifically, the PI intends to develop a new course and online learning module on Biomineralization for integrating STEM education and research. The PI is planning to organize a crystal summer school for middle school students from minority-serving institutions. High school and undergraduate students will be offered learning opportunities through faculty-mentored academic and summer research projects on bioinspired mineralization.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.