SESSION Seq #46: Biomineralization Explained? Proteins as Regulators of Crystal Formation in Physiology and Pathology

Seq #46

Thursday, July 3, 2008

10:45 AM-12:15 PM
Metro Toronto Convention Centre Room 718A, Symposium - Group/Division Sponsored

Biomineralization Explained? Proteins as Regulators of Crystal Formation in Physiology and Pathology

Sponsored by: Dental Materials, Mineralized Tissue

Description: In addition to providing mechanical strength to enamel, dentin, bone and shell, mineral crystals play a variety of roles in organisms from bacteria to mammals. Mineralization of soft tissues, however, results in a number of common and/or life-threatening disorders, including atherosclerosis, kidney stone disease and dental plaque calcification. The processes by which physiological and pathological biomineralization occur are not well understood. However, techniques recently developed provide the means to understand these processes. This symposium will showcase these techniques and the insights they have provided into interactions between extracellular matrix proteins and three important classes of biomineral: calcium phosphates, calcium carbonates and calcium oxalates. Dr. Jim De Yoreo of Lawrence Livermore Laboratory will describe how the growth of specific crystal faces can be measured using in situ atomic force microscopy. Dr. Harvey Goldberg of the University of Western Ontario will describe how interactions between crystals and peptides can be analyzed using molecular dynamics simulations. Finally, Dr. Patrick Stayton of the University of Washington will describe the use of solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance to characterize the conformations of salivary proteins adsorbed to hydroxyapatite crystals. Together, these presentations will illuminate the fundamental concepts that underlie the formation of biominerals as diverse as mollusk shell, dental enamel and kidney stones. Supported by The Institute of Musculoskeletal Health and Arthritis and the Canadian Arthritis Network.

Chairpersons: G.K. HUNTER and J.M. OLDAK


	0206		Investigating the physical controls of peptides and proteins on templated nucleation and growth of biomineral phases using in situ atomic force and electron microscopy J. DE YOREO, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory, CA, USA
			Molecular Dynamics Analyses of Phosphoprotein Adsorption to Biominerals H.A. GOLDBERG, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada
			Molecular Recognition at the Protein-Hydroxyapatite Interface P. STAYTON, University of Washington, Seattle, USA

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