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Light microscopy image of a histologically stained section of the stem root in which thin wavy sheets of the non-living stem root surrounding by cilia (red) can been seen embedded in the living tissue of the generator (light blue). Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai
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Light microscopy image of a histologically stained section of the stem root in which thin wavy sheets of the non-living stem root surrounding by cilia (red) can been seen embedded in the living tissue of the generator (light blue). Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai
A group of chemists, collaborating across continents, has made significant strides in unraveling part of the enigmatic process mussels utilize to adhere to surfaces and proficiently detach from them when necessary.
In an article published in Science journal, the team delves into the interface between mussel tissue and the bundle of filaments that the mollusks use to anchor themselves. Another perspective on this topic has also been published in the same journal by Guoqing Pan and Bin Li from universities in China, Jiangsu and Soochow, detailing the unprecedented work of the collaborating team.
3D reconstruction of micro-computed tomography (μCT) dataset. This movie was generated from reconstruction of a μCT dataset acquired from reconstruction of a f stem root stained embedded in the living tissue. Initially, the generator and septa tissues are visualized in grayscale, while the stem root lamellae are visualized in light blue. Moving from the external stem region into the stem root, one can see the complex interdigitation of the septae and lamellae. Later in the movie, the generator tissue is removed from the model in order to more clearly visualize the complex structure of the wavy lamellar sheets. Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai
The unique and intriguing capability of mussels to connect inanimate material (the constituent filaments) to living tissue and to release them at will has been closely scrutinized, with earlier research revolving around feasible chemical bonding mechanisms. The recent research has steered toward the dynamics of the biological interface between the mussel tissue and the filaments.
The research team conducted an extensive array of technological evaluations to understand how the filaments connect to the living tissue and how they can be released at rapid pace when required. Their observations led to the discovery that the filament ends interlocked with layers of living tissue that were covered by approximately 6 billion motile cilia. The study also revealed that ciliary oscillations reinforced the grip between materials and facilitated rapid release when needed. Furthermore, they theorized that cilia movement was driven by neurotransmitters, hinting at their potential control by serotonin and dopamine.
Reconstructed features in 3D from a FIB-SEM image stack made from a small region in the stem root. Living tissue in dark blue, non-living stem root sheet in light blue, secretory vesicles in teal, cilia in red. Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai
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Reconstructed features in 3D from a FIB-SEM image stack made from a small region in the stem root. Living tissue in dark blue, non-living stem root sheet in light blue, secretory vesicles in teal, cilia in red. Credit: Jenaes Sivasundarampillai
For further details, the comprehensive in-depth findings have been published in Science journal. The articles can be accessed here and here.
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