In biomaterials science and bone tissue engineering, improving the biointegration of implants with surrounding tissues for a successful performance represents a major goal. The project aim is to find solutions for increasing tissue regeneration by accelerating the acceptance time between biomaterials and bone, especially of the implants used in poor quality bone or in patients with compromised immune systems.
The proposed solution consists in the optimization of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) interaction with innovative biomimetic structures in order to create and provide a better environment for osteointegration , with more active contact osteogenesis , a more rapid mineral apposition rate and greater osteointegration index values for tissue engineering applications.
The proposed biomimetic hydroxyapatite structures with different morphologies are characterized by tailored in vitro behavior and improved surface quality, modified at micro level by performing adequate and optimized manufacturing strategies which provides superior osseointegration abilities and reduces local inflammation and reduces risk of implant failure after the first stage of implantation.
At the end of the project, the following objectives will be reached: development of new biomimetic structures for tissue engineering with a significant improved performance and understanding the interaction between biomimetic structures and biological species.
Complex characterization will be performed in terms of: morphology, elemental and phasic composition, chemical bonds, wettability, mechanical properties, electrochemical behaviour and biomineralization ability in acellular media (SBF and DMEM) similar to human media. These will be corroborated with rigorous assays such as: cytocompatibility evaluation, material-cell interface evaluation (cell morphology, adhesion and secretion of ECM components) and MSC differentiation into osteoblasts.
The following objectives will be reached:
• development of HAp-based coatings with three types of different biomimetic morphologies/architectures (HAp type I, II and III) with enhanced osseointegration;
• characterization and complex testing of HAp-based coatings with the obtained biomimetic morphologies;
• understanding the interaction between developed surfaces and biological species through complex in vitro tests with human mesenchymal stem cells;
• results corroboration and selection of the most advantageous morphology in terms of biocompatibility and osteoconductive potential.
Estimated results:
• development of HAp coatings with 3 types of morphologies;
• 1 experimental model;
• min. 4 submissions of articles in ISI journals;
• min. 4 international conference papers;
• 1 patent application;
• min. 4 consortium meetings;
• project web page.