Transient precursor amorphous phases in biomineralization. In the footsteps of Heinz A. Lowenstam

Lia Addadi, Netta Vidavsky, Stephen Weiner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Heinz A. Lowenstam's discovery in 1967, together with Ken Towe that the magnetite mineral in mature chiton teeth forms from a disordered transient precursor phase, ferrihydrite, remained an isolated curiosity for 30 years. During the last 15 years, many more examples were found in both invertebrates and vertebrates, where the mature crystalline mineral phase is formed through a transient amorphous precursor phase. Here we review this widespread phenomenon, and also describe the details of the transformation process in the formation of the calcitic spicules of the sea urchin larva.We identify many open questions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)711-717
Number of pages7
JournalZeitschfrift fur Kristallographie
Volume227
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amorphous phase
  • Biomineralization
  • Calcium carbonate
  • Sea urchin spicule
  • Transient precursor phase

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Inorganic Chemistry

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