Biotechnological horizons in biomineralization
Biotechnological horizons in biomineralization
复制标题
DOI：
10.1016/0167-7799(87)90083-7
复制
发表时间：
1987-11
影响因子：
17.3
通讯作者：
S. Mann;P. Calvert
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
S. Mann;P. Calvert
Organisms which deposit bioinorganic solids (biominerals) may have important future potential in biotechnology and materials science. Two main themes are described; firstly, the direct use of unicellular organisms in the production of novel materials for medical implants, catalytic, magnetic and electronic devices; and secondly, the mimicking of biomineralization mechanisms in ceramic technology and in the control of crystal growth.The structural materials of biology are largely polymers: mammals are built of collagen, insects of chitin and plants of cellulose. While polymers offer strength they are low in stiffness, hardness and wear resistance. To improve these properties the biological polymers are often reinforced with minerals. The processes of biomineralization control the deposition of minerals such as calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate into tissues to produce materials of great subtlety and complexity when compared to the analogous synthetic composite materials. In this article we discuss the current and potential applications of biomineralization, whether through the direct use of biogenic materials, the application of biotechnology to produce new materials or the inspiration of innovations in synthetic materials processing.
