03-10-2012, 11:26 AM
Inorganic Structures of Life
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Biomineralization: the study of the formation,
structure and properties of inorganic solids
deposited in biological systems
Stephen Mann “Biomineralization: Principles and concepts in
Bioinorganic materials chemistry, Oxford University Press,
2001
Biomineralization: the “big” picture
Selective extraction and uptake of elements from local environment
Strict biological control
This process leaves “traces” (signatures) in contrast to other
biological transformations
(Examples: bones, shells, fossils)
Biomineralization became abundant ~ 570 millions of years ago
Evidence (stromatolites) for inorganic biomineralization
3500 millions of years ago
(the Earth is ~ 4200 millions of years old)
Random processes
Biomineralization is involved at some stage
in element cycling
Elements such as calcium, iron, phosphorus and silicon
are cycled over millions of years through complex pathways that
at some stage involve biomineralization
Huge chalk deposits (Dover, S. Britain) are a result of calcification
in small single-celled organisms that lived ~ 200 millions of
years ago in warm shallow sea
Biomineralization is “smart” chemistry
Biomineralization provides organisms with a tough building material
There are tough skeletons constructed by an organic polymer
(a-chitin in insect cuticle)
But the energy demand is high
Organic “armor” resists bashing or hammering….
But…
It does not work well in the arms of a predator
There is much to be gained when hard and stiff (but brittle) organic
Materials are combined with inorganic strength
Biomineralization: a new chemistry
Biomineralization has shifted towards a chemical perspective
Bioinorganic Chemistry
Biomimetic Materials Chemistry
Structural and compositional characterization of biominerals
Understanding the fuctional properties of biominerals
Control by biomacromolecules
Organization and construction of biominerals
Supramolecular chemistry
Organized matter chemistry
Biomineralization: inspiration
The inorganic-based structures of life – biominerals –
represent a new area of study for bioinorganic chemistry
and a source of inspiration in materials chemistry. Biomineralization
is an example of organized-matter chemistry, which is concerned
with the chemical construction, synthesis and emergence
of organized architectures and complex forms.