Bionic synthesis of a magnetic calcite skeletal structure through living foraminifera

Abstract

This communication describes the bionic preparation of a composite material in which fluorescent magnetite nanoparticles are included within the calcitic skeletal structure of the foraminifer Amphistrigina lessoni. This research represents the first tailored experiment where a living calcifying organism is used to synthesize a CaCO₃ composite, taking advantage of its control over the precipitation process, which has potentially no comparison with in vitro experiments.