Protein-Crystal Interactions; Biomineralization
L. Addadi, S. Weiner
Biomineralization encompasses all mineral-containing tissues
formed by organisms to fulfill a variety of different functions,
such as in shells,skeleton, teeth and the like. Crystal formation
is often controlled in all its aspects, from their incept to their
orientation, size, shape and assembly. Control is exercized through
specialized proteins that recognizespecific crystal surfaces during
the growth of the crystals. Recognition is based on molecular complementarity
between the protein and the crystal structure on defined planes.
The understanding of these processes is also relevant to research
on advanced materials. Biology provides an insight into unconventional
strategies of a degree of sophystication yet unconceived in man-made
materials.
