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Science 4 March 2005:
Vol. 307. no. 5714, pp. 1419 - 1420
DOI: 10.1126/science.1109440
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Perspectives

Also see the archival list of Science's Compass: Enhanced Perspectives

MATERIALS SCIENCE:
Enhanced: A Window on Biomineralization

Arthur Veis

Most organisms are able to deposit minerals, for example in shells, bones, or teeth. In his Perspective, Veis discusses how organisms may direct the mineral deposition process. Focusing on the formation of tooth dentin and enamel, he highlights the report by Du et al., who show that the initial deposition of the minerals in tooth enamel is directed by a hierarchical self-assembly process involving amelogenin molecules. The process is an example of matrix-mediated mineralization, and the insights gained in the study should be useful for the development of biomimetic materials.

The author is in the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. E-mail: aveis{at}northwestern.edu

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THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Fine-scale growth patterns in coral skeletons: biochemical control over crystallization of aragonite fibres and assessment of early diagenesis.
J. P. Cuif, Y. Dauphin, A. Meibom, C. Rollion-Bard, M. Salome, J. Susini, and C. T. Williams (2008)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 303, 87-96
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Matrix Macromolecules in Hard Tissues Control the Nucleation and Hierarchical Assembly of Hydroxyapatite.
S. Gajjeraman, K. Narayanan, J. Hao, C. Qin, and A. George (2007)
J. Biol. Chem. 282, 1193-1204
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)