Enzyme directed templating of artificial bone mineral

A 3D gel matrix that templates biomimetic hydroxyapatite (HA) mineralization was studied. The artificial nanofiber matrix described is a 3D network of peptide amphiphile nanofibers. The study uses a PA, which was synthesized using an Applied Biosystems 433A automated peptide synthesizer using standard FOC chemistry and studied under Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR). The enzymatic mediated harvesting of phosphate ions combined with nanofiber surface nucleation, which can lead to a spatially selective and biomimetic mineralization in a 3D environment was shown. The study suggested that both spatial and temporal elements are necessary to achieve biomimetic mineralization in synthetic materials. The study also suggested the future work which mat offer strategies in the design of other advanced materials.