The contributed volume addresses a wide range of topics including, but not limited to, biotechnology, synthetic chemistry, polymer chemistry and materials chemistry. The book will serve as a specialized review of the field of biologically inspired silicon-based structures. Researchers studying biologically inspired silicon materials chemistry will find this volume invaluable.

1 Silicon in a Biological Environment.- 2 The Role of Silicates in the Synthesis of Sugars Under Prebiotic Conditions.- 3 Protease-Mediated Hydrolysis and Condensation of Tetra- and Trialkoxysilanes.- 4 Bioinspired Silica for Enzyme Immobilisation: A Comparison with Traditional Methods.- 5 On The Immobilization ofCandida AntarcticaLipase B onto Surface Modified Porous Silica Gel Particles.- 6 Enzymatic Modification and Polymerization of Siloxane-Containing Materials.- 7 Design and Thermal Properties of Interpenetrating and Intercrosslinked Biosilicate Materials.- 8 Bioactive Amino Acids, Peptides and Peptidomimetics Containing Silicon.