Algorithmic construction of topologically complex biomineral lattices via cellular syncytia

• DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.20.580924
• Publication Date: 2024-02-27T18:13:34Z
• Authors: Pranav Vyas; Charlotte Brannon; Laurent Formery; Christopher J. Lowe; Manu Prakash
• Keywords: Ossicles; Multicellular organism; Ossicles

Abstract Biomineralization is ubiquitous in both unicellular and multicellular living systems [1, 2] has remained elusive due to a limited understanding of physicochemical biomolecular processes [3]. Echinoderms, identified with diverse architectures calcite-based structures the dermis[4], present an enigma how cellular control shape form individual structures. Specifically, holothurians (sea cucumbers), multi-cellular clusters construct discrete single-crystal calcite ‘ossicles’ ( ∼ 100 µ m length scale), morphologies across species even within animal [5]. The local rules that might encode these unique ossicles remain largely unknown. Here we show transport syncytium impart top-down on ossicle geometry via symmetry breaking, branching, fusion finite clusters. As example masonary, coordination small cluster cells builds about order magnitude larger than any participating cell. We establish live imaging growth Apostichopus parvimensis juveniles revealing crystalline seeds 1 − 2 m) grow inside syncytial complex biomineral completely wrapped membrane-bound cytoplasmic sheath. Constructing topological description geometries from 3D micro-CT (computational tomography) data reveals hidden history conserved patterns types. further demonstrate vesicle surface ossicle, rather cell motility, regulates material tips cytoskeletal architecture. Finally, using reduced models self-closing active branching networks, highlight universality process distinct ossicles. system presented here serves as playground merging physiology classical morphogenesis [6] bottom-up non-equilibrium mineralization [7] at interface non-living matter [8].