Project Details
Projekt
Fundamental studies on disorder-order transitions inspired by biomineralization
Applicants
Professorin Dr. Lia Addadi; Professor Dr. Peter Fratzl
Subject Area
Materials Science
Term
from 2012 to 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 209204390
Many organisms form crystalline calcium carbonate and crystalline carbonate hydroxyapatite via disordered "amorphous" precursor phases. This has resulted in a major paradigm shift in the field of biomineralization. The major aim of this proposal is to thoroughly understand the mechanisms of stabilization of the disordered phases, and how they are subsequently destabilized and transform into the crystalline mature product. The experiments will involve characterization of both biogenic and synthetic stable or transient disordered phases: we shall then monitor the transformation from the disordered to the crystalline state, using in some cases heat to induce the transformation, and exploiting diverse advanced techniques developed within the collaborating groups. We shall finally reinforce the experimental results by theoretical modeling of the mechanisms of stabilization and destabilization. The strategy will be to address basic questions that arise from the biologically produced materials by defining in vitro experiments that can better elucidate mechanisms. We shall address issues related to bulk stabilization of disordered phases by studying calcium carbonate phases in crab carapaces and plant cystoliths. We shall also address issues related to interfacial stabilization by studying guanine crystals that form in vesicles in fish skin and spider cuticles, as well as the initial deposits of calcium phosphate that also form in vesicles in osteoblasts - the cells that produce bone. One focus will be to better understand the roles of lipids in the mineralization process. We shall exploit the diverse expertises of the Israeli and German partners in solid state physics, density functional theory, X-ray absorption, diffuse X-ray scattering and microdiffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, cryoelectron microscopy and other techniques. The partners have a proven history of collaboration. The significance of this proposal is to understand basic biological mechanisms, and to provide a firm foundation for applications of disordered phases in the fields of materials science, better understandingmedical pathologies and improving biomaterials.
DFG Programme
DIP Programme
International Connection
Israel
