• Login
    View Item 
    •   DSpace@RPI Home
    • Rensselaer Libraries
    • RPI Theses Online (Complete)
    • View Item
    •   DSpace@RPI Home
    • Rensselaer Libraries
    • RPI Theses Online (Complete)
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    A study of biomolecules as growth modifiers of calcium oxalate crystals

    Author
    Kwak, Junha (John)
    View/Open
    178247_Kwak_rpi_0185E_11079.pdf (26.92Mb)
    Other Contributors
    Karande, Pankaj; Garde, Shekhar; Cramer, Steven M.; Gross, Richard; Lee, Sangwoo.;
    Date Issued
    2017-05
    Subject
    Chemical engineering
    Degree
    PhD;
    Terms of Use
    This electronic version is a licensed copy owned by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Copyright of original work retained by author.;
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    URI
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13015/1965
    Abstract
    We investigated calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), found in plants and kidney stones, as a model system of crystallization. We studied the effects of four common proteins on COM crystallization: bovine serum albumin (BSA), transferrin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme. Through kinetic studies of COM crystallization, we classified BSA and lysozyme as COM growth inhibitor and promoter respectively. Their inhibition and promotion effects were also evident in the macroscopic crystal habit. Through adsorption and microscopy experiments, we showed that BSA exhibits binding specificity for the apical surfaces of macroscopic COM crystals. Lysozyme, on the other, functions via a non-binding mechanism at the surface to accelerate the growth of the apical surfaces. We also synthesized and studied peptides derived from the protein primary sequences to identify putative domains responsible for these inhibition and promotion effects. Collectively, our study of physiologically relevant biomolecules suggests potential roles of COM modifiers in pathological crystallization and helps to develop guidelines for rational design of biomolecular growth modifiers for applications in crystal engineering.; Crystallization processes are ubiquitous in nature, science, and technology. Controlling crystal growth is pivotal in many industries as material properties and functions can be tailored by tuning crystal habits (e.g. size, shape, phase). In biomineralization, organisms exert excellent control over bottom-up synthesis and assembly of inorganic-organic structures (e.g. bones, teeth, exoskeletons). This is made possible by growth modifiers that range from small molecules to macromolecules, such as proteins. Molecular recognition of the mineral phase allows proteins to function as nucleation templates, matrices, and growth inhibitors or promoters. We are interested in taking a biomimetic approach to control crystallization via biomolecular growth modifiers.;
    Description
    May 2017; School of Engineering
    Department
    Dept. of Chemical and Biological Engineering;
    Publisher
    Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
    Relationships
    Rensselaer Theses and Dissertations Online Collection;
    Access
    Restricted to current Rensselaer faculty, staff and students. Access inquiries may be directed to the Rensselaer Libraries.;
    Collections
    • RPI Theses Online (Complete)

    Browse

    All of DSpace@RPICommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    Login

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2022  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    DSpace Express is a service operated by 
    Atmire NV