This paper is dedicated to the honorary memory of the late Prof. Helmut Cölfen (University of Konstanz, University of Konstanz, Germany) a brilliant scientist and inspiring mentor whose legacy continues to shape the field of biomineralization. May his memory be blessed.
We are thrilled about the publication of our latest paper, “The Effect of Amino Acids on the Formation of Amorphous Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles”!
Using synchrotron-based in situ SAXS at ESRF – The European Synchrotron – The European Synchrotron (beamline ID02) with an exceptional 10 ms time resolution, we reveal how even small, monomeric amino acids (such as aspartic acid, serine, and valine) regulate the growth kinetics of magnesium-stabilized amorphous calcium carbonate (Mg-ACC) nanoparticles.
We show that amino acids narrow the nanoparticle size distribution by adsorbing at the particle–water interface and selectively slowing the growth of older particles, thereby maintaining uniformity even under fluctuating pH conditions.
These results provide new insight into how biomineralizing organisms may preserve particle-attachment-based mineralization under environmental stress such as ocean acidification
This work was carried out at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology – Israel Institute of Technology, in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering -Technion of Materials Science and Engineering, in collaboration with ESRF – The European Synchrotron – The European Synchrotron, beamline ID02.
The research was led in my lab by my former Postdoc Lucas Kuhrts and former PhD student Hadar Shaked.
Congratulations to all co-authors:
Lucas Kuhrts, Hadar Shaked, Johanna Sklar, Almog Sulam Korovin, Iryna Polishchuk, Elena Prudnikov, Dr. Gouranga Manna, Michael Sztucki, Sylvain Prévost (ILL – Institut Laue Langevin), and Alex Katsman!
