| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R23107/01 |
| Title: |
Calcium Carbonate Biomineralisation In Disparate Systems - Common Mechanisms? |
| Principal Investigator: |
Cusack, Professor M |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
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| Project Partners: |
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| Department: |
School of Geographical & Earth Sciences |
| Organisation: |
University of Glasgow |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
01 October 2001 |
Ends: |
30 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
65,582
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Biomaterials |
Materials Characterisation |
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| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
| Manufacturing |
Construction |
| Healthcare |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Biominerals are compsite materials with proteins influencing the nucleation, polymorphic form, size, shape and mechanical and ultrastructural properties of biominerals. Calcium minerals account for about 50% of all biominerals with calcite and aragonite as the most common forms of calcium carbonate. Magnesium influences the morphology of calcite formed in vitro and may play a role in vivo. CAlcium carbonate formed avian eggshells, shells of brachiopods T. retusa and N. anomala and the mussel, Mytilus edulis provide a range of ultrastructures as well as calcite, semi-nacre (calcite) and true nacre (aragonite). Quantitation of inorganic trace elements and microprobe elemental mapping will determine how trace element concentration relates to different ultrastructural motifs. Characterisation of the proteins in these systems and information on how these purified proteins influence calcium carbonate formation in vitro, will determine which aspects of calcium carbonate biomineral formation are common to all of these systems and which are specialised for the corresponding type of ultrastructure or polymorph of calcium carbonate. A fuller understanding of these biomineralisation processes will enable mimicry of the exquisitely controlled formation at ambient temperatures and pressure to produce materials with a wide range of ultrastructural motifs and properties.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.gla.ac.uk |