The avian eggshell as a model of biomineralization

Conference · Thu Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1557/PROC-218-193· OSTI ID:5638180

Arias, J L; Fernandez, M S ^[1]; Laraia, V J; Janicki, J; Heuer, A H; Caplan, A I ^[2]

---

1. Chile Univ., Santiago (Chile)
2. Case Western Reserve Univ., Cleveland, OH (USA)

The avian eggshell is one of the most rapidly mineralizing biological systems known. By understanding the key components and steps in this process, we hope to provide relevant information for fabrication of ceramic composites. The calcification of the eggshell occurs in three main steps: (1) fabrication of an organic matrix, (2) nucleation of an inorganic phase on the organic matrix, and (3) space-filling growth of the calcite phase. The different layers of an eggshell can be separately isolated and studied. In this preliminary communication, the organization of the shell matrix and membranes and their association with the crystal phase, the immunohistochemical occurrence and distribution of types I and X collagen, and of different proteoglycans are reviewed. Also the preliminary findings of the remineralization of the intact or modified eggshell are presented. These experiments allow us to identify the essential steps in forming a natural composite ceramic. 47 refs., 6 figs.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 5638180
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA-18812; CONF-901105-124; ON: DE91012608
• Resource Relation: Journal Volume: 218; Conference: Fall meeting of the Materials Research Society (MRS), Boston, MA (USA), 24 Nov - 1 Dec 1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
CERAMICS
STRUCTURAL MODELS
CRYSTAL GROWTH
BIOMIMETIC PROCESSES
CALCITE
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
EGGS
MEMBRANES
MINERALIZATION
NUCLEATION
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TEXTURE
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
CALCIUM CARBONATES
CALCIUM COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBONATE MINERALS
CARBONATES
MATERIALS
MINERALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
360202* - Ceramics
Cermets
& Refractories- Structure & Phase Studies
550200 - Biochemistry