XVI International Botanical Congess

Diatoms rely on self-assembled extracellular biocomposites for cell motility and permanent adhesion to surfaces. Due to the resilience of these adhesives, diatoms are important constituents of aquatic biofouling communities. We have pursued an integrated approach encompassing biochemical, microscopical and molecular methods in an attempt to further define diatom adhesion and motility in A.longipes, a common marine biofouling diatom. Our results are presented in four sections: 1) interactions of cells with substrata, 2) biochemical characterization of the proteoglycans which make up the majority of the adhesive structures, 3) localization of these polymers within the adhesive structures and intracellularly, and, 4) disruption of assembly processes with inhibitors