Silicatein and the Translation of its Molecular Mechanism of Biosilicification into Low Temperature Nanomaterial Synthesis

The discovery of one class of proteins called silicateins have been highlighted. These proteins are isolated from a marine sponge and has a dual function as enzymatic catalyst and organic template for biosilicification. Emphasis on the most recent fabrication of biologically inspired synthetic systems that mimic the enzymatic function and templating ability of silicatein to make technologically important and nanostructured inorganic materials via extremely low energy pathways.