327-1101-00L Biomineralization
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2017 |
| Lecturers | K.‑H. Ernst |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 327-1101-00 V | Biomineralization | 2 hrs |
| K.‑H. Ernst |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | The course addresses undergraduate and graduate students interested in getting introduced into the basic concepts of biomineralization. |
| Learning objective | The course aims to introduce the basic concepts of biomineralization and the underlying principles, such as supersaturation, nucleation and growth of minerals, the interaction of biomolecules with mineral surfaces, and cell biology of inorganic materials creation. An important part of this class is the independent study and the presentation of original literature from the field. |
| Content | Biomineralization is a multidisciplinary field. Topics dealing with biology, molecular and cell biology, solid state physics, mineralogy, crystallography, organic and physical chemistry, biochemistry, dentistry, oceanography, geology, etc. are addressed. The course covers definition and general concepts of biomineralization (BM)/ types of biominerals and their function / crystal nucleation and growth / biological induction of BM / control of crystal morphology, habit, shape and orientation by organisms / strategies of compartmentalization / the interface between biomolecules (peptides, polysaccharides) and the mineral phase / modern experimental methods for studying BM phenomena / inter-, intra, extra- and epicellular BM / organic templates and matrices for BM / structure of bone, teeth (vertebrates and invertebrates) and mollusk shells / calcification / silification in diatoms, radiolaria and plants / calcium and iron storage / impact of BM on lithosphere and atmosphere/ evolution / taxonomy of organisms. 1. Introduction and overview 2. Biominerals and their functions 3. Chemical control of biomineralization 4. Control of morphology: Organic templates and additives 5. Modern methods of investigation of BM 6. BM in matrices: bone and nacre 7. Vertebrate teeth 8. Invertebrate teeth 9. BM within vesicles: calcite of coccoliths 10. Silica 11. Iron storage and mineralization |
| Lecture notes | Script with more than 600 pages with many illustrations will be distributed free of charge. |
| Literature | 1) S. Mann, Biomineralization, Oxford University Press, 2001, Oxford, New York 2) H. Lowenstam, S. Weiner, On Biomineralization, Oxford University Press, 1989, Oxford 3) P. M. Dove, J. J. DeYoreo, S. Weiner (Eds.) Biomineralization, Reviews in Mineralogoy & Geochemistry Vol. 54, 2003 |
| Prerequisites / Notice | No special requirements are needed for attending. Basic knowledge in chemistry and cell biology is expected. |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 2 credits |
| Examiners | K.-H. Ernst |
| Type | end-of-semester examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | A repetition date will be offered in the first two weeks of the semester immediately consecutive. |
| Additional information on mode of examination | 30 min mündliche Prüfung |
Learning materials
| Main link | Skript 1 |
| Recording | Skript 1 |
| Learning environment | Skript 1 |
| Only public learning materials are listed. | |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
