INTERFACIAL ASPECTS OF BIOMINERALIZATION

The identification of crystal planes that can specifically interact wi th mineralized tissue proteins, together with the detailed biochemical analysis of these proteins, has shown how the organic matrix can dire ct the formation of biological crystals. Recent studies have identifie d protein sequences and conformations associated with the nucleation o f calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate crystals, determined how nuc leation from a specific crystal face can cause alignment of crystallog raphic axes with matrix structures, and demonstrated several mechanism s by which the growth habits of biogenic crystals may be controlled by components of the organic matrix.