Protein-mineral interactions at the organic-inorganic interface in biominerals

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Bones, teeth, otoconia, eggshells, snail and sea shells, corals and many other biomineralized structures in the plant and animal kingdoms arise from synergistic interactions between co-existing organic (usually proteins) and inorganic mineral phases. These composites have specialized properties, and hierarchically organized supramolecular assemblies that provide a framework for biomineralization. Negatively charged proteins may attain regulatory chemical complementarity by binding to mineral calcium at the organic-inorganic interface − a mechanism to influence crystal growth processes. It is hypothesized that the molecular precision of such organic-inorganic interfacial interactions regulates crystal growth. My biomineralization research program focuses on specific proteins/peptides (notably osteopontin) that regulate mineral growth.