Crystal tectonics: Chemical construction and self-organization

Mann, Stephen; Davis, Sean A.; Hall, Simon R.; Li, Mei; Rhodes, Katja H.; Shenton, Wayne; Vaucher, S.; Zhang, Baojian

doi:10.1039/b004066p

Cited by 42 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…[63,64] Herein we focus specifically on the mesoscale self-assembly of organiccoated crystalline nanoparticles. This process occurs readily, for example, in the presence of surface-anchored surfactant molecules.…”

Section: Macromolecules and Crystal Texturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher‐Order Organization by Mesoscale Self‐Assembly and Transformation of Hybrid Nanostructures

2003

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The organization of nanostructures across extended length scales is a key challenge in the design of integrated materials with advanced functions. Current approaches tend to be based on physical methods, such as patterning, rather than the spontaneous chemical assembly and transformation of building blocks across multiple length scales. It should be possible to develop a chemistry of organized matter based on emergent processes in which time- and scale-dependent coupling of interactive components generate higher-order architectures with embedded structure. Herein we highlight how the interplay between aggregation and crystallization can give rise to mesoscale self-assembly and cooperative transformation and reorganization of hybrid inorganic-organic building blocks to produce single-crystal mosaics, nanoparticle arrays, and emergent nanostructures with complex form and hierarchy. We propose that similar mesoscale processes are also relevant to models of matrix-mediated nucleation in biomineralization.

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Section: Macromolecules and Crystal Texturesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Higher‐Order Organization by Mesoscale Self‐Assembly and Transformation of Hybrid Nanostructures

2003

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“…1 bottom), not only are they often of vast proportions with areas of up to 100,000 km 2 , but also there is a significant effect on the reflectivity of the ocean which has important consequences on global warming [9,10]. This second remarkable aspect of biomineralisation of the organisation of individual crystalline building blocks on one length scale to give structures with a larger length scale has been termed ''crystal tectonics'' and can be visualised in terms of the process of building a house from bricks and mortar [11][12][13], but at the length scales in biomineral structures the agent building the structure is far from obvious.…”

Section: Middle)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling calcium carbonate biomineralisation processes

Mukkamala

Anson

Powell

2006

Journal of Inorganic Biochemistry

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“…In a process similar to template-directed assembly (Weiner et al 1999;Mann et al 2000), deposition of mineral crystals on normally flexible collagen molecules Vertebrate soft tissue preservation M. H. Schweitzer et al 193 during biomineralization imparts rigidity and strength to the matrix, but when the minerals are subsequently removed, the matrix again becomes flexible-a model for the process we propose. During mobilization of microcrystalline HA in early diagenesis, characteristics of organic matrix, vessel or cell surface would dictate the emplacement of mineral crystal through mineral attraction to specific functional molecular moieties on the surface of the structure.…”

Section: (C) Moa Trabecular Bone (Mor Oft255) (D ) Mammoth (Mor 917mentioning

confidence: 99%

Soft tissue and cellular preservation in vertebrate skeletal elements from the Cretaceous to the present

2007

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Soft tissues and cell-like microstructures derived from skeletal elements of a well-preserved Tyrannosaurus rex (MOR 1125) were represented by four components in fragments of demineralized cortical and/or medullary bone: flexible and fibrous bone matrix; transparent, hollow and pliable blood vessels; intravascular material, including in some cases, structures morphologically reminiscent of vertebrate red blood cells; and osteocytes with intracellular contents and flexible filipodia. The present study attempts to trace the occurrence of these four components in bone from specimens spanning multiple geological time periods and varied depositional environments. At least three of the four components persist in some skeletal elements of specimens dating to the Campanian. Fibrous bone matrix is more altered over time in morphology and less likely to persist than vessels and/or osteocytes. Vessels vary greatly in preservation, even within the same specimen, with some regions retaining pliability and other regions almost crystalline. Osteocytes also vary, with some retaining long filipodia and transparency, while others present with short and stubby filipodia and deeply pigmented nuclei, or are pigmented throughout with no nucleus visible. Alternative hypotheses are considered to explain the origin/source of observed materials. Finally, a twopart mechanism, involving first cross-linking of molecular components and subsequent mineralization, is proposed to explain the surprising presence of still-soft elements in fossil bone. These results suggest that present models of fossilization processes may be incomplete and that soft tissue elements may be more commonly preserved, even in older specimens, than previously thought. Additionally, in many cases, osteocytes with defined nuclei are preserved, and may represent an important source for informative molecular data.

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Crystal tectonics: Chemical construction and self-organization

Cited by 42 publications

References 33 publications

Higher‐Order Organization by Mesoscale Self‐Assembly and Transformation of Hybrid Nanostructures

Higher‐Order Organization by Mesoscale Self‐Assembly and Transformation of Hybrid Nanostructures

Modelling calcium carbonate biomineralisation processes

Soft tissue and cellular preservation in vertebrate skeletal elements from the Cretaceous to the present

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