Advanced Research in Biomineralization

Dear Colleagues,

Biomineralization is the biologically mediated process by which organisms produce mineralized structures, such as bones, teeth, and shells, with precise control over their composition, crystallinity, and morphology. These processes play a crucial role in maintaining structural and physiological functions in living organisms. In contrast, pathological biomineralization refers to the abnormal deposition of minerals that lead to harmful conditions such as kidney stones, vascular calcification, and gallstones. A well-known example of such mineralization is calcium-based biominerals, including hydroxyapatite, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate, etc.

The formation of calcium biominerals is controlled by a delicate interplay between activators, inhibitors, and environmental factors. Activators of biomineralization include high local ion concentrations, specific organic matrices, and nucleation sites, while inhibitors prevent excessive or spontaneous precipitation by stabilizing supersaturated solutions or blocking crystal growth. Research has shown that the kinetics of precipitation of calcium minerals can be modulated by molecular additives that interact with growing crystals and influence their size, shape, and aggregation.

Biological studies at the cellular level show that osteoblasts and chondrocytes play a central role in controlled biomineralization via extracellular vesicles and matrix proteins. In pathological contexts, dysregulated cellular signals and the altered expression of mineralization inhibitors can lead to spontaneous and uncontrolled crystal deposition. Microbiological research has further highlighted the influence of bacterial activity on pathological mineralization. Certain bacteria can trigger mineral precipitation by altering the local pH, releasing nucleating agents, or changing the ion concentration.

Understanding the mechanisms of both physiological and pathological biomineralization requires an interdisciplinary approach integrating in vivo, in vitro, and microbiological studies. The knowledge gained from these studies has the potential to provide strategies that influence biomineralization kinetics and crystallization pathways, thus offering therapeutic solutions for pathological mineralization disorders.

We aim to collect as many scientific articles (reviews or research/original articles) as possible in this Special Issue. We cordially invite you to contribute to this Special Issue. Short communications, as well as review and full-size research articles, are welcome.

Dr. Anamarija Stanković
Dr. Nives Matijaković Mlinarić
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.