Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A new technique for preparing biominerals for atomic-force microscopy

  • Published:
Protoplasma Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

We describe a methodology that enables the orienting and cleaving of biominerals to consistently yield low z-axis (height) surfaces suitable for high-resolution imaging by atomic-force microscopy. The methodology permits biominerals to be prepared without chemical fixation, resin embedding, or sectioning, and demonstrates a utility for a variety of silicified and calcified biominerals.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Bustamante C, Keller D 1995 Scanning force microscopy in biology. Phys Today December 1995

  • Cohn SA, Spurck TS, Pickett-Heaps JD, Edgar LA (1989) Perizonium and initial valve formation in the diatomsNavicula cuspidata (Bacillariophyta). J Phycol 25: 15–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Gauldie, RW, Xhie JJ (1995) Atomic force microscopy of the morphology of the matrix and mineral components of the otolith ofHyperoglyphe antartica. J Morphol 223: 203–214

    Google Scholar 

  • Huntington ST (1997) Advances in optical characterisation using scanning probe microscopy. PhD thesis, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann S (1993) Molecular tectonics in biomineralization and biomimetics materials chemistry. Nature 365: 499–505

    Google Scholar 

  • Mann S, Ozin GA (1996) Synthesis of inorganic materials with complex form. Nature 382: 313–318

    Google Scholar 

  • Manne S, Zaremba CM, Giles R, Huggins L, Walters DA, Belcher A, Morse DE, Stocky GD, Didymus JM, Mann S, Hansma PK (1994) Atomic force microscopy of the nacreous layer in mollusc shells. Proc R Soc Lond Biol Sci 256: 17–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens R, Frederick N (1997) Investigation of abalone shell nacre using atomic force microscopy. In: Proceedings of the International NanoScope Users Conference. Digital Instruments, Santa Barbara, Calif, p 6

    Google Scholar 

  • Walters DA, Smith BL, Belcher AM, Paloczi PT, Stucky GD, Morse DE, Hansma PK (1997) Modification of calcite crystal growth by abalone shell proteins: an atomic force microscopy study. Biophys J 72: 1425–1433

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Botany, The University of Melbourne, 3052, Parkville, VIC, Australia

    L. M. Egerton-Warburton & R. Wetherbee

  2. Schools of Physics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria

    S. T. Huntington

  3. Schools of Chemistry, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria

    P. Mulvaney

  4. Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia

    B. J. Griffin

Authors
  1. L. M. Egerton-Warburton
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. T. Huntington
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. P. Mulvaney
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. B. J. Griffin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. R. Wetherbee
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Egerton-Warburton, L.M., Huntington, S.T., Mulvaney, P. et al. A new technique for preparing biominerals for atomic-force microscopy. Protoplasma 204, 34–37 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01282291

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01282291

Keywords

Search

Navigation