AVS 46th International Symposium
    Biomaterial Interfaces Group Thursday Sessions
       Session BI-ThM

Paper BI-ThM6
Molecular Recognition at the Protein-Biomineral Interface

Thursday, October 28, 1999, 10:00 am, Room 613/614

Session: Biomineralization
Presenter: J.R. Long, University of Washington
Authors: J.R. Long, University of Washington
W.J. Shaw, University of Washington
G.P. Drobny, University of Washington
P.S. Stayton, University of Washington
P. Bower, University of Washington
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Biological organisms exhibit sophisticated crystal engineering capabilities that underlie the remarkable material properties of mineralized tissues such as bone and nacre. While nature's biomineralization processes are a complex blend of finely controlled nucleation and growth events that are not currently well understood, it is known that organisms produce acidic proteins which play a key directoral role in controlling biological crystal growth. We have taken a systematic approach with model proteins and biological proteins and peptides to elucidate how small, acidic proteins interact with biological crystals and control their growth rates. Solid-state NMR results investigating protein conformation and orientation on HAP surfaces will be reported.