Biomineralization Mechanism of the Pearl Oyster, Pinctada fucata (eBook)

This book presents an overview of our current understanding of the biomineralization mechanisms for shell formation in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, based on molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, structural biology and environmental biology. Pinctada fucata is the major pearl-producing shellfish in the South China Sea and is also an established model system for the research on the nacre biomineralization mechanism. Extensive studies on nacre biomineralization have provided valuable information for novel bionic material design. Discussing the isolation and gene cloning of the matrix proteins involved in the shell formation, as well as the cell signaling pathways, shell microstructures, and the environmental impacts on shell biomineralization, it is a valuable reference resource for researchers working in the field of nacre biomineralization and biomaterials.

Rongqing Zhang is a professor at Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences, where he was vice dean from 2009-2016. He was also the director of the Institute of Marine Biotechnology at the same university. Prof. Zhang is a member of the European Society for Marine Biotechnology (ESMB) and the Editorial Board of Marine Biotechnology. His research interests include marine biochemistry and molecular biology, focusing on detecting new functional genes from marine creatures and molecular mechanisms of marine biomineralization.

Liping Xie is a professor at Tsinghua University School of Life Sciences.

Zhenguang Yan is a professor at the State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

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This book presents an overview of our current understanding of the biomineralization mechanisms for shell formation in the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata, based on molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, structural biology and environmental biology. Pinctada fucata is the major pearl-producing shellfish in the South China Sea and is also an established model system for the research on the nacre biomineralization mechanism. Extensive studies on nacre biomineralization have provided valuable information for novel bionic material design. Discussing the isolation and gene cloning of the matrix proteins involved in the shell formation, as well as the cell signaling pathways, shell microstructures, and the environmental impacts on shell biomineralization, it is a valuable reference resource for researchers working in the field of nacre biomineralization and biomaterials.