Patricia M. Dove

Using experimental and theoretical methods, Dove studies biomineralization; the processes by which living organisms mineralize tissues to produce skeletons, shells, and other functional structures. Her work focuses upon the kinetics and thermodynamics of the nanoscale processes that control the timing and placement of biominerals during nucleation and during crystal growth. Many of her studies use model compounds to investigate the influence of proteins and polysaccharides on mineralization and their interactions with minerals such as carbonate and silica. In addition, she has studied factors that regulate demineralization; the processes by which these materials break down. Her work has many ramifications for understanding the living and ancient plant and animal worlds, the physical basis of complex mineral growth patterns, and represents a new scientific frontier at the interface of geology and biology.