An Intersection of Biology and Materials Science: Martensitic Phase Transformations in Key Biological Behaviors

Martensitic phase transformations have been used for less than 100 years in engineering materials such as steels or other alloys.  These first-order, diffusionless, displacive transformations give way to the properties of Superelasticity, the Shape Memory Effect, and Transformation Toughening.  For billions of years, viruses and bacteria have been utilizing these Martensitic Transformations as well.  Viruses, such as the T4-Bacteriophage, use these transformations as the mechanism for infection.  Transformation of the Viral Sheath from an extended form to a contracted form provides the mechanical work necessary for penetration of cell membranes, allowing for Viral DNA to infect bacteria.  Bacteria, such as Salmonella, utilize these transformations as a mechanism for propulsion.  Flagellin subunits partially transform in order to achieve different conformations of the microscale flagella.  These conformations possess different degrees of twist and curvature, allowing for bacteria to adjust the ease with which the flagella cut through various fluid environments.  Initial literature review has revealed other structures that are likely to also be classified as BioMartensite.  These findings are providing a classification of BioMartensite as multiphase, n-helix structures. The primary objective of this research is to attempt to provide a new perspective on disease and infection from a Materials Science approach.