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327-1101-00L 2 Credits MSC , NDS D-HEST , D-MAVT , D-PHYS , D-ITET , D-MATL
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Biomineralization

Does not take place this semester.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:27

Abstract

The course addresses undergraduate and graduate students interested in getting introduced into the basic concepts of biomineralization.

Objective

The course aims to introduce the basic concepts of biomineralization and the underlying principles, such as supersaturation, nucleation and growth of minerals, the interaction of biomolecules with mineral surfaces, and cell biology of inorganic materials creation. An important part of this class is the independent study and the presentation of original literature from the field.

Content

Biomineralization is a multidisciplinary field. Topics dealing with biology, molecular and cell biology, solid state physics, mineralogy, crystallography, organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, dentistry, oceanography, geology, etc. are addressed. The course covers definition and general concepts of biomineralization (BM)/ types of biominerals and their function / crystal nucleation and growth / biological induction of BM / control of crystal morphology, habit, shape and orientation by organisms / strategies of compartmentalization / the interface between biomolecules (peptides, polysaccharides) and the mineral phase / modern experimental methods for studying BM phenomena / inter-, intra, extra- and epicellular BM / organic templates and matrices for BM / structure of bone, teeth (vertebrates and invertebrates) and mollusk shells / calcification / silification in diatoms, radiolaria and plants / calcium and iron storage / impact of BM on lithosphere and atmosphere/ evolution / taxonomy of organisms. 1. Introduction and overview 2. Biominerals and their functions 3. Chemical control of biomineralization 4. Control of morphology: Organic templates and additives 5. Modern methods of investigation of BM 6. BM in matrices: bone and nacre 7. Vertebrate teeth 8. Invertebrate teeth 9. BM within vesicles: calcite of coccoliths 10. Silica 11. Iron storage and mineralization

Resources

Lecture Notes

Script with more than 600 pages with many illustrations will be distributed free of charge.

Literature

1) S. Mann, Biomineralization, Oxford University Press, 2001, Oxford, New York 2) H. Lowenstam, S. Weiner, On Biomineralization, Oxford University Press, 1989, Oxford 3) P. M. Dove, J. J. DeYoreo, S. Weiner (Eds.) Biomineralization, Reviews in Mineralogoy & Geochemistry Vol. 54, 2003

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC , NDS
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
end-of-semester examination
30 min mündliche Prüfung

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Biomineralization
Does not take place this semester. This course will take place in HS21.
No time listed 2 h weekly

Offered In