Echinoderms build a mineralized endoskeleton which maintains their global shape, offers protection and is involved in food
gathering (Aristotles lantern of sea-urchins). This skeleton is made of high-magnesium calcite whose properties strongly differ from
abiotic equivalents. The goal of the research is (1) to understand the biological mechanisms which control the formation of the
skeleton and the setting-up of its properties; (2) to determine the environmental effects on skeletogenesis both on the functional point
of view (e.g. the reinforcement linked to hydrodynamism) and on the chemical point of view (is the skeleton composition modified
according to environmental conditions and, consequently, can the skeleton be used as recorder of these conditions?).