Biomimetic\nCalcium Phosphate Nanoparticles: Biomineralization\nModels and Precursors for Composite Materials

The formation of calcium phosphate under the control\nof water-soluble\npolymers is important for understanding bone growth in living organisms.\nThese experiments also have spin-offs in the creation of composite\nmaterials, including for regenerative medicine applications. The formation\nof calcium phosphate (hydroxyapatite) from calcium chloride and diammonium\nphosphate was studied in the presence of polymers containing carboxyl,\namine, and imidazole groups. Depending on the polymer composition,\nsolid products and stable dispersions of positively or negatively\ncharged nanoparticles were obtained. Oppositely charged nanoparticles\ncan interact with each other to form a macroporous composite material,\nwhich holds promise as a filler for bone defects. The formation of\na calcium phosphate layer around a living cell (dinoflagellate <i>Gymnodinium corollarium</i> A. M. Sundström, Kremp et\nDaugbjerg) using positive composite nanoparticles is a one-step approach\nto cell mineralization.