Third-Party Funding, External Projects

DFG-Biomineralisation

Theoretical and experimental investigations in the biomimetic morphogenesis of apatite-gelatine nanocomposites (KN 150/14-1 and BR 306/34-1)

Common research project with Jürgen Brickmann (TU Darmstadt) since 2006. The project is focused on hierarchical fluorapatite-gelatine-nanocomposite-superstructures and is integrated into the research cluster Dresden/Darmstadt (Biomineralisation, Biomimetics, BIMSIM (Biomineralisation Simulation)).  Dirk Zahn, Paul Simon and Wilder Carrillo-Cabrera are also members of the BIMSIM research cluster. Our central interests are directed on: Mechanisms of nucleation, formation of hierarchical patterns, and driving forces for processes of self-organisation. (Scientific Report 2009).

Current Publications

A. Kawska, O. Hochrein, J. Brickmann, R. Kniep, D. Zahn: The Nucleation Mechanism of Fluorapatite-Collagen Composites: Ion Association and Motif Control by Collagen Proteins. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 4982-4985.

R. Kniep, P. Simon: “Hidden” Hierarchy of Microfibrils within 3D-Periodic Fluorapatite-Gelatine-Nanocomposites: Development of Complexity and Form in a Biomimetic System. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 1405-1409.

R. Paparcone, R. Kniep, J. Brickmann: Hierarchical Pattern of Micro Fibrils in a 3D-Fluorapatite-Gelatine-Nano-Composite: Simulation of a Bio-Related Structure Building Process. Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 2009, 11, 2186-2194.