Blueprints for the Next Generation of Bioinspired and Biomimetic Mineralised Composites for Bone Regeneration

Abstract

Coccolithophores are unicellular marine phytoplankton, which produce intricate, tightly regulated, exoskeleton calcite structures. The formation of biogenic calcite occurs either intracellularly, forming ‘wheel-like’ calcite plates, or extracellularly, forming ‘tiled-like’ plates known as coccoliths. Secreted coccoliths then self-assemble into multiple layers to form the coccosphere, creating a protective wall around the organism. The cell wall hosts a variety of unique species-specific inorganic morphologies that cannot be replicated synthetically. Although biomineralisation has been extensively studied, it is still not fully understood. It is becoming more apparent that biologically controlled mineralisation is still an elusive goal. A key question to address is how nature goes from basic building blocks to the ultrafine, highly organised structures found in coccolithophores. A better understanding of coccolithophore biomineralisation will offer new insight into biomimetic and bioinspired synthesis of advanced, functionalised materials for bone tissue regeneration. The purpose of this review is to spark new interest in biomineralisation and gain new insight into coccolithophores from a material science perspective, drawing on existing knowledge from taxonomists, geologists, palaeontologists and phycologists.

Microbe‐Mediated Extracellular and Intracellular Mineralization: Environmental, Industrial, and Biotechnological Applications

“…[ 105 ] Coccolith biomineralization induced by coccolithophores produce extracellular coverings of CaCO 3 platelets. [ 110 ] The most common species include Emiliania huxleyi and Gephyrocapsa oceanica . Other species such as Coccolithus braarudii and Calcidiscus leptoporus are relatively less heavily calcified.…”

PTHG2 Reduces Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice by Directing Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Fate

“…Osteoporosis is a serious disease in the aged population which currently affects 200 million people worldwide and causes approximately 8.9 million fractures every year [41,42]. About 21.4% of postmenopausal women over the age of 50 may have osteoporosis, and 51.2% of them have significant bone mass loss [43].…”

Effect of KNO3 on Lipid Synthesis and CaCO3 Accumulation in Pleurochrysis dentata Coccoliths with a Special Focus on Morphological Characters of Coccolithophores

“…Previous reports have revealed that coccoliths are a small structure with higher risk to get damaged, especially during the sample preparation process 49, 54, 65, 66. Thus, that's making it highly difficult to study the complete structure of coccolithophore.…”