@misc{10481/82223,
year = {2023},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/82223},
abstract = {The formation of the hard tissues that provide support and mobility to organisms is achieved through the interplay of inorganic crystals and an organic framework composed of collagen and a small percentage of non-collagenous proteins. Despite their clinical relevance, the mechanisms governing mineralization of the extracellular matrix are still poorly understood. By using 3D electron tomography and high-resolution electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy, it has been demonstrated that mineralization proceeds through a spherulitic-like crystal growth process. First, aggregates of disordered crystals form in the interfibrillar spaces, which lead to the mineralization of adjacent fibrils. Mineral propagates steadily through the inter- and intrafibrillar spaces of the collagen structure forming layered spherulites that grow to confluence. The structure of the collagen fibrils serves as a protein scaffold to guide the formation of a myriad of platelet-shaped crystallites that make up each of these spherulites. At their periphery, nanosized unmineralized areas remain, leading to the formation of the characteristic lacy pattern observed in the transversal cross-section of mature calcified tissues. This study provides fundamental insights into the bone formation process and represents a potential strategy for complex materials design},
organization = {Projekt DEAL},
publisher = {Wyley},
keywords = {3D electron microscopy},
keywords = {Bone mineralization},
keywords = {Collagen mineralization},
keywords = {Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy},
keywords = {Transmission electron microscopy},
title = {Spherulitic Crystal Growth Drives Mineral Deposition Patterns in Collagen-Based Materials},
doi = {10.1002/adfm.202200504},
author = {Macías Sánchez, Elena and Tarakina, Nadezda V and Ivanov, Danail and Blouin, Stéphane and Berzlanovich, Andrea M and Fratzl, Peter},
}