Eggs are multifunctional structures that enabled vertebrates to colonize the land millions of years ago. Eggshell morphology is at the core of animal survival and has evolved into a massive diversity of forms and functions in modern reptiles. These functions may also serve as models for new antimicrobial and/or breathable membranes. But we still lack critical data on the chemical composition, ultrastructure, and material properties of reptile eggs. These data are critically needed to understand their effects on vertebrate evolution and successfully use them as biomimetic models. In this project we will use a highly integrative approach including functional morphology, evolution, biomechanics and biomimicry to test hypotheses on form-function relationships in eggs and their potential as models for biomimetic materials. Specifically, we will address the following questions: How does egg morphology affect biomechanical function? Do nesting ecology and life history drive the evolution of eggshell design? Do bioinspired replicas retain functional properties comparable to natural eggs? To answer these questions we will use state-of-the-art μCT, electron microscopy, chemical and biomechanical tests, phylogenetic comparative methods and materials science techniques to experimentally test form-function relationships and produce novel, bioinspired multifunctional membranes.