Linking Two Apparently Distant Worlds: Crystals and Microorganisms

Dear Colleagues,

With this Special Issue, we intend to stimulate your curiosity and resourcefulness by combining two apparently distant worlds, crystals and microorganisms, which actually have many meeting points. Crystals are extremely varied materials and attract a lot of attention because of their exclusive properties. Inorganic crystals have been proven to encase extremophiles, questioning extraterrestrial life implications. Biological crystals are a special class of crystals produced by living organisms, including microbes. As an example, magnetotactic bacteria are typically known for the synthesis of different types of magnetic mineral nanocrystals, and several marine microorganisms produce biomolecules (e.g., exopolysaccharides, biosurfactants, antibiotics), often possessing a crystalline structure. These aspects are really challenging in combinations with life in extreme and peculiar environments. The demand for such types of molecules is increasing, but knowledge of crystal structures must be improved to understand their action and to design genetically engineered enzymes with enhanced activity. It has been evidenced that some crystal materials could be used as additives to stimulate biosurfactant production by bacteria, and this could be extended to other types of molecules. Moreover, recently, researchers have discovered a kind of interesting crystal made of living bacteria.

Thus, a lot of interesting cues derive from the study of such type of materials, for which we would like to combine all the physical/chemical aspects of crystals and the biological world. A comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art and recent advances in all the following aspects are envisaged: microbial crystal production; synthesis conditions; taxonomical groups involved; life inside crystals; biological crystal applications; and use of crystal materials to enhance biomolecule production. We expect to collect a set of contributions on the chemical structure of biological crystals, and research on bacterial 2D crystal structures, their occurrence, and formation.

Dr. Carmen Rizzo
Dr. Angelina Lo Giudice
Guest Editors

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