Bacterial Mineralization

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

Bacterial biomineralization refers to the processes by which bacteria make inorganic minerals. There are three main types of bacterial mineralization, these being distinguished on the basis of how closely the bacterial cell exerts control on the physicochemical characteristics of the mineral. The first is biologically induced mineralization (BIM) where mineralization is a response to changes in mineral saturation in the fluid as a result of cellular metabolic activities. The second mode of mineralization is biologically controlled mineralization (BCM), which often occurs intracellularly in specialized membranes and hence the cell exerts tight control over composition and morphology of the mineral. The third type, closely linked to BIM is biologically influenced mineralization or organic matrix-mediated mineralization, where the cell and associated organic debris act as passive nucleation templates. Bacterioferritin is a well-known biologically controlled mineral but the best known examples of BCM are by magnetotactic bacteria and involve mineralization of magnetite and greigite, although recent studies have shown that cyanobacteria can also mineralize intracellular carbonates. Much more diversity in mineralogy arises from BIM, producing carbonates, oxides, phosphates, sulfates, sulfides, and silicates. This diversity, in association with the unique properties of most bacterial biominerals relative to their abiotic forms provides an exciting platform for biotechnological applications, including in the new field of bionanotechnology.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationReference Module in
Subtitle of host publicationMaterials Science and Materials Engineering
PublisherElsevier
ISBN (Electronic)978-0-12-803581-8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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