Zusammenfassung
Skeletal tissues associate, in close interaction, an organic matrix
and a mineral network. In crustaceans, chitin, the most frequent
polysaccharide in invertebrate exoskeletons, is associated with calcite.
In compact bone, collagen, major structural protein in vertebrate
tissues is associated with hydroxyapatite. A parallel was evidenced
in vivo between the three-dimensional assemblies of chitin and collagen
matrices and molecular arrangements described in liquid crystals.
The purified macromolecules, highly concentrated, assemble in vitro
in ordered liquid crystalline phases. After stabilisation, they form
biomimetic materials, presently investigated, in a pure state or
in addition with inorganic phases to develop hybrid materials.
Nutzer