Biomineralisation themed issue of CrystEngComm

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A monthly journal at the forefront of crystal engineering.

CrystEngComm focuses on biomineralisation

29 November 2007

The Biomineralisation themed issue of CrystEngComm, guest edited by Lia Addadi (The Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel), has now been published.

While synthetic chemists often use harsh conditions in their attempts to engineer fairly simple crystals, organisms regularly grow complex crystal structures at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. These biominerals include shells, bone and teeth. Their properties are typically controlled using organic compounds to influence the crystal nucleation and growth.

The structure of nacre, or 'mother of pearl', is just one of the topics included in the issue

Understanding these processes would be a great help for crystal engineers in their endeavours to control crystal structures and tailor their physical properties. In this theme issue, CrystEngComm has gathered together world leaders in the biomineralisation field.