Crystallization in Life: Stories about Shells, Bones, and Kidney Stones

(4 Credits)

This research-oriented course will introduce students to the world of biomineralization, the branch of chemistry that deals with crystal formation under the influence of biomolecules. Students will be exposed to the fundamentals of crystal formation, crystal properties, and the structure of crystals that surround us. We begin with crystallization theory and the various aspects of the biomineralization process in nature and then move on to specific case studies, with attention to biomolecules (proteins, lipids) and their roles in controlling the crystallization process. Understanding the biomineralization process in the formation of kidney stones can lead to a preventative drug development, which illustrates a practical application of the field in biomedical science. In addition, studying the crystallization process in nature can lead to new bioinspired materials, such as optical fibers.