In biominerals, proteins are a key element in the controlled nucleation and growth of the mineral phase. We report here on the coupled evolution of the organic and inorganic structures during the nucleation and growth of CaCO3 under a monolayer of acidic �-sheet forming peptides that mimic the natural proteins found in nacre. The investigation is carried out using in situ analytical techniques (X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy) in order to provide molecular scale structural information over the whole course of the mineralization process. Mineralization is shown to coexist with �-sheet order while inducing other conformational changes to the peptide assembly. Peptides are observed to promote the growth of unoriented vaterite crystals; no templating effect of the �-sheet order is observed.

Organic-inorganic hybrids formed by CaCO<sub>3</sub> mineralization under β-sheet forming peptide monolayers

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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Organic-inorganic hybrids formed by CaCO3 mineralization under β-sheet forming peptide monolayers

Organic-inorganic hybrids formed by CaCO₃ mineralization under β-sheet forming peptide monolayers