Research Progress in Bi-template Induced Biomimetic Self-assembly of Bone-like Apatite

Natural bone is an outcome of a multi-template co-assembly process. Compared to single-template self assembly, bone-like apatite induced by bi-template exhibits more common features and similarities of natural bone that has attracted a wide attention in field of biomineralization. This paper summarizes the recent research achievements in bi-template-induced biomimetic self-assembled apatite. The design of bi-template molecule and the interactions between the molecular templates have been investigated as well as the regulation mechanism of apatite nucleation. The bi-template co-assembly strategy as a promising clinical application has been applied on many fields ranging from bone/teeth repair, coatings and drug delivery, due to the improved osteoconductive properties and even osteoinductive properties.