New Insight To Demineralization: Amorphous Silica Dissolves By Pathway Similar To Crystals Jul 13, 2008
Dove and her research group study mineral nucleation, growth, and dissolution in projects focused on understanding the processes of biomineralization, mineral weathering, cementation, global elemental cycling, and climate proxy models. Using a bioinspired approach, much of their work is focused on establishing concepts used by Nature in biological and inorganic settings to understand underlying reaction mechanisms through direct, nanoscale measurements of mineral-water interactions and their... (Science Daily)
Gene Expression Profiling of Cuticular Proteins across the Moult Cycle of the Crab Portunus pelagicus Oct 10, 2007
Crustaceans represent an attractive model to study biomineralization and cuticle matrix formation as these events are precisely timed to occur at certain stages of the moult cycle. Moulting, the process by which crustaceans shed their exoskeleton, involves the partial breakdown of the old exoskeleton and the synthesis of a new cuticle. (BioMed Central)
Fish in space help studies of balance disorders Sep 18, 2007
"I am convinced that the mineralization of otoliths is the only known natural process of biomineralization that requires neuronal input," says Anken. It could also point the way to treatments: controlling the neuronal process that determines otolith size in humans could be used to help those with balance disorders. (Nature News Service)
Pollution Controls In Nature: Proteins Sweep Up Nanoparticles Jun 19, 2007
This is very interesting because biomineralization has traditionally been thought of as a phenomenon that occurs within a cell, or in contact with it. But in this case, we see an intimate association of proteins and minerals that takes place as far as hundreds of microns away from the cell. (Science Daily)
Microbes at work cleaning up the environment Jun 15, 2007
This demonstrates an extracellular biomineralization mechanism that is unexpected because it involves the bacteria excreting proteins for nanoparticle aggregation away from the cells, said Peter Weber, one of the LLNL authors of the paper appearing in the June 15 edition of the journal Science. Weber and LLNL colleague Ian Hutcheon used LLNLs NanoSIMS (high- resolution secondary ion mass spectrometer) to study the metal-sulfide nanoparticle aggregation in sulfate-reducing bacteria dominated... (EurekAlert!)
Community Calendar Jan 31, 2007
Biomineralization discussion-- 7 tonight, Rhodes Arena, Room 43, University of Akron. Featuring Claire Tessier of the chemistry department. (Akron Beacon Journal, OH -- Living)
Scientists Uncover Speedometer For Crystal Growth Controlled By Biomolecule Properties Dec 22, 2006
Dove and her research group study the interface between minerals, waters, and biomolecules in biomineralization, cementation, chemical weathering, paleoproxy models, metal and biomolecule binding. Located in the Department of Geosciences, they investigate these processes and the underlying reaction mechanisms through direct, nanoscale observations of mineral-water interactions during growth, dissolution, and nucleation with quantitative measurements of kinetics and surface thermodynamic... (Science Daily)
Ancient modern chemistry Dec 8, 2006
The online nanotechnology information portal calls this "a remarkable illustration of synthetic nanoscale biomineralization." Dr. Walter expressed admiration for ancient craftsmen who used simple chemistry and low-cost materials to practice a form of nanotechnology millenniums ago. Nanowerk says that today, its database contains more than 1,300 nanotech products from 90 suppliers. (USA Today -- Tech)
Genomics of shell architecture Nov 23, 2006
In mollusks, the mantle is responsible for the extra-cellular production of the shell, directing the ordered biomineralization of CaCO3 and the deposition of architectural and color patterns ... The recent sequencing of a wide range of metazoan genomes coupled with the analysis of gene expression in non-model animals has allowed us to investigate the evolution and process of biomineralization in gastropod mollusks. (BioMed Central)
Carnegie Mellon scientist plays key role in unveiling sea urchin genome Nov 10, 2006
Specifically, he focuses on the vast network of proteins needed for these animals to form skeletons through biomineralization ... Ettensohn annotated the genes involved in biomineralization, the process by which sea urchins form their embryonic skeletons ... But having the sea urchin genome has revealed a provocative discovery: many of the biomineralization proteins, especially those that control late stages of the process, are completely different in sea urchins and humans. (EurekAlert!)
Nanotechnology To Stop Weaponized Anthrax In Its Tracks Oct 10, 2006
(April 12, 2004) -- The latest issue of Science reports a discovery by a Clemson scientist that challenges 40 years of marine biomineralization research. The internationally respected journal describes the Clemson. (Science Daily)
