Evidence for a Liquid Precursor to Biomineral Formation

The crystals in animal biominerals, such as sea urchin spines, mollusk shells, and coral skeletons, form by attachment of amorphous particles that subsequently crystallize. Do these solid precursor have liquid precursors? Polymer-induced precursors (PILP) or prenucleation clusters coalescing into a to calcium carbonate crystallization been observed extensively synthetic systems. Molecular dynamics simulations also predict liquid–liquid phase separation. However, evidence for natural biominerals remains elusive. Here, we present Scanning PhotoEmission Electron Microscopy (SEM PEEM) consistent with dense liquid-like regenerating spines. originates tissue ultimately transforms single crystal calcite (CaCO3) complex stereom morphology.