engleski

Biomineralix (COST Action TD0903), 2009-2014: an overview

Biomineralization is the process by which living systems produce minerals. At the European scale, this particular scientific field associates research ers of diverse horizons, ranging from zoology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and environmental sciences to materials sciences, dentistry and bone su rgery. In this context, the COST Action TD0903, also referred as Biomineralix, was set up in November 2009 under the auspices of the COST Office in Brussels. This scientific network was active during four and half ye ars, until May 2014. It associated 17 European countries, and a total of 29 laboratories. Its main objectives were multiple: 1. To promote biochemical and proteomic research on the biomineralisation processes of diverse biological models, ranging from microorganisms to metazoans, such as molluscs or sea urchins. 2. To characterize biominerals owing to the most advanced biochemical and biophysical techniques. 3. To use natural biominerals as sentinels to record environmental parameters and pollutions in terrestrial, riverine or marine ecosystems. 4. To take lessons from natural systems to generate novel biomimetic or bioinspired materials, according to soft chemical processes. These re search trends organized the action in four working groups. The present paper evaluates four and half years of functioning of the network. It reviews some of the major results, in particular those acquired in the frame of Short-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs), and lists the corresponding scientific papers.

biomineralization ; biomaterials ; biocomposites ; environment ; bio-monitoring ; bioinspired materials

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