research advances in the formation of molluscan shell nacreous layers, the control
of the nucleation and growth of aragonitic crystals as well as the function of
extracellular matrix macromolecules in these biomineralization processes will be
delineated.
This book hopes to contribute to our present understanding of the role of organic
proteins and matrices in skeletal formation, one fundamental process of life, and
biogenic mineral deposition in aqueous environments as a base for the biomimetic
design of novel functional materials for future biotechnological and biomedical
applications.
Werner E.G. Mu ¨ller
Heinz C. Schro ¨der
Institute for Physiological Chemistry
University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg
University Mainz
vi
Preface