Biological Materials of Marine Origin

This work aims to provide the reader with an interdisciplinary look at the biomineralization, biomimetics and materials science unique to marine invertebrates. For the first time in scientific literature the author gives a coherent analysis of the nature, origin, and evolution of biocomposites and biopolymers found within the broad variety of marine invertebrate organisms and their unusual structural formations. The basic format is that of a major review article, including frequent references to original literature. There is a wealth of new and newly synthesized information, including dozens of previously unpublished images of unique marine creatures and structures from nano- to microscale, including high-resolution scanning and transmission electron micrographs. The material is organized effectively along both biological (phyla) and functional lines. The classification "biological materials of marine origin" is proposed for the first time. Much of the pertinent data is organized into tables, and extensive use is made of electron micrographs and line drawings. Several modern topics e.g. "biomineralization-demineralization-remineralization phenomena", or "phenomenon of multiphase biomineralization", as well as "silica-collagen and silica-chitin biocomposites", have never before been available in a textbook format. For the first time, such current concepts as hierarchical organization of biocomposites and skeletal structures, structural bioscaffolds, biosculpturing, biomimetism and bioinspiration as tools for the design of innovative materials are critically analyzed from both biological and materials science point of view using numerous unique examples of marine origin. This monograph reviews the most relevant advances in the marine biomaterials research field, pointing out several approaches being introduced and explored by distinct laboratories.

The objective of my book is for scientists, as well as senior or graduate students in engineering or science to gain a solid appreciation for the special significance of the world of marine biological materials. In addition, this book aims to communicate the rapid and exciting evolution and expansion of biomaterials science and its applications in modern technology and medicine.