No abstract

Elongated, hexagonal-prismatic seed crystals are the starting point for the hierarchical growth of anisotropic spherical aggregates of fluorapatite in gelatin matrices. Discrete dumbbell-shaped aggregates (scanning electron microscope image shown on the right) are formed by self-similar, branched, needlelike upgrowths at both ends of the seeds. With successive generations, these aggregates close to give pheres with diameters of up to 400 μm. The system makes it possible to monitor the development of antibiotic information pattern into the macroscopic range

Deeper understanding of the basic principles of biomineralization is a major challenge for present and future research. The high complexity of in‐vivo conditions calls for simplified model systems that still involve dynamic processes like reorganization, formation, self‐organization, and development of patterns, respectively. The present contribution deals with hierarchically ordered spherical aggregates of fluorapatite–gelatin composites with fractal architecture that are grown in gelatin matrices. The model system was chosen to mimic formation conditions on a lower level of complexity compared with the natural formation of calcified tissue (bone, teeth). In order to gain insight into structure formation and the motif for this special kind of morphogenesis we investigated the interaction of the organic and inorganic components of aggregates in different growth stages by detailed chemical analyses, thermoanalytical measurements, X‐ray diffraction on solitary particles, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations. The close relation of the results and observations to calcified tissue may stimulate advanced interests in the fields of medical and materials development.

ABSTRACT

Biominerals are impressive composite materials because of their complex organization and perfect adaptation to the demands of living organisms. Structure and development of human teeth are compared to similar composite systems that develop in vitro under biomimetic conditions without the controlling influence of cells.