Biomineralization in Prokaryotes and Eukaryotes

Dear Colleagues,

Biomineralization is the synthesis of minerals based on the metabolism of cells, which results in intra- or extracellular crystals. This process is common in the microbial world but not restricted to microorganisms. Two types of biomineralization are known: controlled and induced. In controlled biomineralization, unique genes encode the proteic machinery used to sequester metallic ions and control the mineral precipitation with well-defined crystal growth behaviors. Magnetite biomineralization in magnetotactic bacteria is the most studied process of controlled biomineralization. The genes involved in the process are well-identified, at least for certain bacterial species. However, the influence of other aspects of cellular metabolism in the process are still under investigation. Induced biomineralization is the extracellular production of minerals based on the interaction of cellular metabolic products and the surrounding medium. In this case, the participation of extracellular polymeric substances produced by the cells helps to chelate metal ions and provide nucleation sites for mineral precipitation and growth. Minerals formed by induced biomineralization include magnetite, vaterite, calcite and aragonite, among others. The present Special Issue aims to update our current knowledge concerning biomineralization in microorganisms, including, but not limited to: magnetotactic bacteria and eukaryotes, biomineralized magnetic nanoparticles, induced biomineralization of calcium carbonates, the effect of biomineralization on the geochemical cycles of calcium and iron, etc. 

Dr. Daniel Acosta-Avalos
Dr. Fernanda Abreu
Guest Editors

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