In Review

(Photo: J. Adam Fenster)

PEARLY WHITES: Chinese river pearls, a natural version of the material known as nacre or mother-of-pearl, are one model for a project led by Anne S. Meyer, an associate professor of biology, to create an artificial form of nacre. Using bacteria as a base material, Meyer is working to develop an environmentally friendly, artificial version that would have the strength of natural nacre and be pliable enough to have potential applications as bone implants and materials for aircraft or structures.