| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2024 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Biological Materials Science
|
| Presentation Title |
Optically Functional Molecular Crystals in Animal Coloration and Vision |
| Author(s) |
Benjamin Palmer, A. Wagner, N. Pinsk, K. Shavit, T. Lemcoff, J. S. Haataja, L. Schertel |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Benjamin Palmer |
| Abstract Scope |
Highly reflective molecular crystals are used in the coloration and vision of many animals. We present recent findings on the formation and optical functions of biogenic organic crystals. The role of guanine crystals in structural coloration is well-established, but little is known about how organisms precisely regulate crystallization and crystal habit. By following guanine formation in developing model animals, we report a crystallization mechanism for guanine and show how nucleation and growth are directed by macromolecular templates inside crystal-forming ‘iridosome’ organelles. Secondly, we explore the optical properties of biogenic isoxanthopterin crystals which possess an extreme refractive index (n=1.96). The isoxanthopterin crystals are arranged in nanoparticles, constructed from a shell of plate-like isoxanthopterin crystals arranged in concentric lamellae around an aqueous core. We show how the size and ordering of these particles are controlled to tune the optical properties of a camouflage reflector discovered in the eyes of decapod crustaceans. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |