In order to adapt to changing environments, many organisms have evolved vital supporting structures. These structures range from the complex skeletal systems found in mammals and reptiles to the simple shells of mollusks. Typically comprised of calcium-based biominerals, these remarkable frameworks take on numerous functions such as support and/or protection. The nucleation, growth rate, shape, composition, and strength of these structures vary with the type of organic macromolecules utilized by the organism. These macromolecules have been shown to play an important role in the morphogenesis of calcium carbonate crystals in various types of organisms. Previous research on Red Abalone revealed that several proteins play a significant role in the crystal growth of the shell by binding non-uniformly to growing calcium carbonate surfaces. However, similar studies have not been previously reported in other abalone species. Here, we report on the isolation and purification of water-soluble proteins extracted from Green Abalone, Red Abalone and a red/green hybrid. As an extension of the abalone project, we have isolated four water-soluble proteins from the shells of Zebra Mussel. These proteins are believed to be involved in the nucleation and control of aragonite crystal growth responsible for shell formation in the Zebra Mussel. We are working towards the inhibition of Zebra Mussel shell growth by genetic modification based upon the information obtained about the structure and function of the proteins isolated from Zebra Mussel shells. This genetic modification would prohibit shell growth and thus halt the rampant population growth of the organism which has recently become a huge problem in the mid-western portion of the United States.