Nucleation and Polymorphism in Pharmaceutical and Biological Systems

Biomineralisation is the process by which organisms produce bones, shells, teeth and other mineral structures. Even unicellular species of plankton can produce shell-like structures using calcium carbonate. Generally, organisms use specialised proteins and polysaccharides to control the nucleation, growth and polymorph type (i.e. aragonite or calcite in the case of calcium carbonate) of biogenic crystals. Many such organisms live in oceans at depths of many hundreds or even thousands of metres, where pressures can reach hundreds of atmospheres. The macromolecules have a high degree of conformational flexibility, and their structures are likely to be affected by pressures in this range. In this project we will explore how the interplay between pressure and the macromolecules can influence nucleation, morphology and polymorph formation.