The presence of silica in biomineralized structures from single celled diatoms through to higher plants and primitive animals such as sponges is relatively well known. Though the microscopic and macroscopic structures can be observed in some detail, the chemical and biochemical processes giving rise to such fantastically well-organised composite structures is incompletely understood. What is even less well understood is the effect(s) that silica and its constituent components can have on the biochemical processes of other cells.<br/>This presentation will highlight what we know about the structure of the mineral phase and the role that chemical and computational studies can play in understanding the nature of the mineral and its interaction with biomolecules such as proteins. I will describe new experimental methods to study biomolecule-mineral interactions and show the extent of our understanding of the role that ‘Si’ in some form can play in cellular processes including bone growth.

Chemistry at the silica interface: from fundamentals to applications

Where thousands of chemistry professionals meet to share ideas and advance scientific and technical knowledge. Spring 2023 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch at the end of March.

ACS Spring 2023

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.