Chiton tooth composites: from biosynthetic mechanisms to bioinspired, highly wear resistant materials

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Nature possesses an unreached control over structure and properties of mineralized tissues such as teeth and bones, curving single crystals in any fashion and creating tough and light weight self-repairing skeletal structures. An organic matrix surrounding the minerals plays a critical role in selectively forming and templating metastable mineral precursors and directing its transformation into the final state. Nature’s precise control starts from atomic level and exceeds current synthetic capabilities. Modern material fabrication lacks behind and needs large amount of energy to process and synthesize materials for semiconductors, medicine or construction – often in extensive top-down fabrication steps at high temperature and high pressure. It is a responsibility of scientists to find innovative methods for decreasing the carbon footprint of this. The overall aim of the project is to better understand the biomineralization of the chiton’s teeth, which consists of one of the hardest and most wear-resistant biogenic materials, a magnetite/chitin composite, and to transfer this new knowledge into the synthesis of new nanocomposite materials with outstanding properties. For this,1) I investigate the role of the proteins in the organic matrix during tooth formation by state-of-the-art proteomics methods. 2) I apply the novel technique of Mössbauer imaging to have a closer look on the iron species in the different stages of development of the teeth. 3) I use selfassembled monolayers (SAMs) to mimic the organic/inorganic interactions based upon bioinspired iron binding motif discovered by point 1 and 2. 4) I transfer this knowledge to investigate the formation of a functionalized chitin/magnetite nanocomposite. This project will inspire and offer unique training by exposing me to this multidisciplinary field where chemistry, biology and materials science meet, enabling me to embark on my own academic career.