Research
Biomineralization
The formation of inorganic materials with complex form is a widespread biological phenomenon (biomineralization) that occurs in almost all groups of organisms from prokaryotes to humans. Among the most spectacular examples are the intricately structured silica cell walls of diatoms. Our research aims understanding the biological machinery responsible for the morphogenesis of the nanopatterned diatom silica cell walls.
Biological Adhesion and Motility
Many organisms utilize remarkable adhesive biopolymers that often outperform man-made products. For example some biological adhesives are reversible while other work most effectively underwater. Diatoms utilize adhesive material for the formation of colonies and for adhesion to surfaces within the phototic zone. Our research aim to purify and characterize the adhesive material diatoms produce that enables their unsual gliding motility
Bionantotechnology
The Kröger group aims to utilize insight from their research on the molecular mechanism of diatom silica biomineralization to implement novel routes for syntheses of functional inorganic materials with controlled nanoscale architectures.