massimo.vassalli@cnr.it afm in marine...

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Massimo VassalliInstitute of Biophysics

National Research CouncilGenova – Italy

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WG4 meetingCOST action TD1002European network on

applications of Atomic Force Microscopy to NanoMedicine

and Life Sciences

AFM in marine biology

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Why AFM in marine biology ?

Approximately 70% of Earth's surface is covered with water, of which 97% is salt water ; 50% to 80% of all species on Earth lives in the oceans ; due to their depth oceans encompass about 300 times the habitable volume of the terrestrial habitats on Earth.

AFM in marine biology

Search on Google Scholar for:

● AFM & biology → 61.700 results● AFM & “molecular biology” → 16.600 results● AFM & “marine biology” → 532 results

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Applications

Marine bio-FoulingHarmful algae bloomsOcean acidification

Why and where is AFM crucial ?

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Marine bio-Fouling

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Model organism

Green and Red morphotypes (different

intermoult stage duration)

Carcinus maenas (Green crab)

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Roughness

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Surface parameters

Kerr, A. and M. J. Cowling (2003). The effects of surface topography on the accumulation of biofouling. Philosophical Magazine 83 (24): 2779-2795.

AFM is unique in which it is quantitative on a nanometer scale

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Harmful algae blooms

Ranging from microscopic, single-celled organisms to large seaweeds, algae are simple plants that form the base of food webs. Sometimes, however, their roles are much more sinister. A small percentage of algal species produce toxins that can kill fish, mammals, and birds, and may cause human illness.

Source: ocean service of the US national oceanic and atmospheric administration

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Ostreopsis ovataRecently, Ostreopsis spp. blooms in the Tyrrhenian and southern Adriatic Sea have been related to human health problems, such as breathing and skin irritation.

Report

Bloom

Toxic event

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The (epi)theca is covered by pore-like nanometric structures

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O.ovata exopolymers

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Lovely AFM

Once more, AFM helps measuring objects because it is quantitative, but also the sample can be prepared with low invasiveness

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Ocean acidification

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Coccolithophores

Coccolithophores are single-celled algae distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates of uncertain function called coccoliths (calcareous nanoplankton), which are important microfossils. An example of a globally significant coccolithophore is Emiliania huxleyi, with a global distribution from the tropics to subarctic waters, forming a part of the planktonic base of virtually all marine food webs.

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Effects of low pH on coccoliths

Calcium carbonate structures are influenced by the acidification of the solution and in vitro experiments show even strong effects on the morphology of single coccoliths.

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But Ocean acidification is not simply low pH

M. Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez, et al., Phytoplankton Calcification in a High-CO2

World; Science 320, 336 (2008)

V. Fabry, Marine calcifiers in a High-CO2 Ocean; Science 320, 1021 (2008)

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Monitoring in a natural lab

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And what about AFM ?

Compositional imaging on single coccoliths (elasticity mapping)

Direct measurement of the mass of single coccoliths

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AFM as a pico-balance

T. Hassenkam, A. Johnsson, et al. ; Tracking single coccolith dissolution with picogram resolution and implications for CO2 sequestration and ocean acidification ; PNAS 320, 336 (2008)

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I'm happy

AFM helps measuring objects because it is quantitative and the sample can be prepared with low invasiveness. In addition, it measure forces, thus opening for compositional imaging and other exotic applications.

Marine biology is a field in which AFM can exploit its specialties!

massimo.vassalli@cnr.itwww.cnr.it

COST Action TD 1002www.afm4nanomedbio.eu

COST Action TD 0906www.cost-bioadhesives.org

Workshop dedicated toEDUCATION

Practical school onAFM in Biology

A focus on marine biology

(14) 15-16 April 2013 16-19 April 2013

Local organizersMassimo VassalliFrancesca Sbrana

COST inspirersVesna Svetlicic

Alessandro Podestà

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Location: Genova

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Genova gulf

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Camogli

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Genova gulf

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National Research Council

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Education workshop(14) 15-16 April 2013

14/04/2012arrival in the evening & dinner

15/04/2012Morning sessionLunchAfternoon sessionDinner & social event

16/04/2012Morning sessionLunch & relocation to Genova

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Education workshop

Open for proposals ofideas for teaching

and spreading AFMin biomedicine

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Education workshop

Educational AFM

Could it be useful to start populating a database of AFM-oriented educational movies ?

- lessons- experimental methods and sample preparation- exploit TS to prepare video material- publication ?

Alessandro Podestàalessandro.podesta@mi.infn.it

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Education workshop

Educational AFM

Could it be useful to identify a way to provide low cost AFMs for educational purposes in biology ?

- take a survey of commercial systems- browse the literature- design or integrate a new solution

Bruno Tiribillibruno.tiribilli@isc.cnr.it

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TS 2013 COST TD0906

TD1002

COST action TD 1002 is providing logistic support and knowledge (in terms of trainers) to COST action TD 0906 which will support the participation of EU attendees. CNR will co-fund the initiative.

Massimo Vassallimassimo.vassalli@cnr.it

AFM in biologya focus on marine biology

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TS 201316-19 April 2013

16/04/2012Afternoon session

Theoretical lessonsDinner After-dinner discussion & poster attachment

Theory will be constrained to the first day

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TS 2013

Experimental sessions will be centralBoth imaging and sample preparation

Using AFM at different length scales:Proteins → Fibers → Cells → Tissues

Students/attendees will be divided into small groups (no more than 6 persons per group) to have the possibility to really interact with the AFM and prepare samples.

17/04/2012Morning session

Experimental activityLunch

Short application notesExperimental activity

Dinner & social event

18/04/2012Morning session

Short application notesExperimental activity

LunchShort application notesExperimental activity

Dinner

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TS 2013

19/04/2012Morning session

Short seminarsRecapitulation experimental session

Lunch & conclusion

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TS 2013

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