Investigating elemental distribution and crystalline structure with high spatial resolution in nemertean stylet Amphiporus lactifloreus

Our research focuses on the biological design principles of nemertean worm Amphiporus lactifloreus, specifically its stylet—a vital tool for prey capture. The primary stylet, measuring 100 µm in length, is composed of stable amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), a precursor phase that in other organisms is transient and transforms into crystalline calcium phosphate phases like hydroxyapatite, found in human bones and teeth. We employ synchrotron experiments with nanometre resolution (ID13-WAXS+SAXS, ID21-µ-XANES) to investigate the ACP phase's structure, potential amorphous phases, and stabilization mechanisms. Preliminary lab results, using nano-CT and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, show notable differences in contrast and elemental distributions. This knowledge is crucial for synthesizing ACP and ACP-based materials with applications in hard tissue engineering, such as bone and teeth repair.