生物矿化与仿生材料的研究现状及展望

对于天然生物材料中的矿化组织结构和矿化机理的充分认识,可以为仿生设计与合成具有特定结构和功能的材料和器件提供理论依据。生物矿化组织的显微分级结构主要取决于生物控制的分子过程,包括晶体生核、生长,以及矿物结构的堆积方式,材料科学家和化学家首先在这一关键问题上做出了贡献。随着研究的深入,分子生物学家的加入,使这一研究已发展到细胞和基因的水平。探讨生物矿化过程中分子控制机理,即有机模板对无机晶体的调制作用,最具代表性的就是有机/无机界面分子识别理论。在此基础上给出生物矿化机理以及仿生制备的研究方向。

Review of current biomineralization and biomimetic materials

Further understanding of the structure of mineralized tissues and the mechanism of mineralization in natural biomaterials is needed to provide a theoretical basis for the biomimetic design and synthesis of materials and devices with special structures and functions. The hierarchical structure of mineralized tissues mainly depends upon the molecular processes controlled by the organisms, including the nucleation and growth of crystals and the stacking mode of minerals. Materials scientists and chemists have developed a thorough understanding of these key issues in the past decade. In recent years, molecular biologists have expanded this research to molecular and genic levels. This article reviews the current understanding of the biomineralization mechanism, especially the molecular control mechanism for organic matrix mediated biomineralization. The most representative biomineralization theory is based on molecular recognition at organic/inorganic interfaces. This understanding of current biomineralization theory is used to suggest future studies on biomineralization and biomimetic preparations.