BME7900 Seminar: Marc McKee (McGill)

Multiscale structural biology in the biomineralization morphospace: Symmetry-breaking patterning of 'bio-rocks' (biominerals without proteins are just rocks) Unlike geologic rocks/gems which are often faceted, biominerals are often rounded by curvature-generating processes. Biomineralization often occurs as a symmetry breaking event in various tissues and structures. Therein, small biomolecules and peptides, and larger fibrous proteins (like collagen and elastin), and also noncollagenous proteins (some intrinsically disordered) collectively regulate mineral phase transitions and guide crystall