Work

Biominerals—hierarchical nanocomposites: the example of bone

Year: 2010

Type: review

Abstract: Many organisms incorporate inorganic solids in their tissues to enhance their functional, primarily mechanical, properties. These mineralized tissues, also called biominerals, are unique organo‐mineral nanocomposites, organized at several hierarchical levels, from nano‐ to macroscale. Unlike man‐made composite materials, which often are simple physical blends of their components, the organic and inorganic phases in biominerals interface at the molecular level. Although these tissues are made of relatively weak components under ambient conditions, their hierarchical structural organization and intimate interactions between different elements lead to superior mechanical properties. Understanding basic principles of formation, structure, and functional properties of these tissues might lead to novel bioinspired strategies for material design and better treatments for diseases of the mineralized tissues. This review focuses on general principles of structural organization, formation, and functional properties of biominerals on the example the bone tissues. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2011 3 47–69 DOI: 10.1002/wnan.105 This article is categorized under: Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Source: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Nanomedicine and Nanobiotechnology

DOI: 10.1002/wnan.105

Author: Elia Beniash

Institution: University of Pittsburgh

Language: English

Topic: Calcium Carbonate Crystallization and Inhibition

Subfield: Biomaterials

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Awards: Matrix Protein Regulation of Enamel Mineral Formation, Formation of the Enamel-Dentin Interface