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Biomineralization (BM)
Biomineralization (BM) and materials creation
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:00:01
Abstract
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.
Objective
The course addresses undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning the basic concepts of biomineralization. The course aims to introduce 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.
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
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture | Biomineralization (BM) and materials creation |
|
2 h weekly |
| exercise |
Biomineralization (BM) and materials creation
Nach Vereinbarung
|
|
1 h weekly |