Biomineralix (COST Action TD0903), 2009-2014: An Overview

Abstract

Biomineralization is the process by which living systems produce minerals. At theEuropean scale, this particular scientific field associates researchers of diverse horizons,ranging from zoology, mineralogy, palaeontology, and environmental sciences to materialssciences, dentistry and bone surgery. In this context, the COST Action TD0903, also referredas Biomineralix, was set up in November 2009 under the auspices of the COST Office inBrussels. This scientific network was active during four and half years, until May 2014. Itassociated 17 European countries, and a total of 29 laboratories. Its main objectives weremultiple: 1. To promote biochemical and proteomic research on the biomineralisationprocesses of diverse biological models, ranging from microorganisms to metazoans, such asmolluscs or sea urchins. 2. To characterize biominerals owing to the most advancedbiochemical and biophysical techniques. 3. To use natural biominerals as sentinels to recordenvironmental parameters and pollutions in terrestrial, riverine or marine ecosystems. 4. Totake lessons from natural systems to generate novel biomimetic or bioinspired materials,according to soft chemical processes. These research trends organized the action in fourworking groups. The present paper evaluates four and half years of functioning of thenetwork. It reviews some of the major results, in particular those acquired in the frame ofShort-Term Scientific Missions (STSMs), and lists the corresponding scientific papers.