OR4: SMART SCAFFOLDS DESIGN AND BIOMATERIALS MODIFICATION FOR ORTHOPAEDIC APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Scaffolds and Biomaterials used for skeletal tissue regeneration need to be biocompatible, osteo-inductive, osteo-conductive and mechanically compatible with bone to meet the requirements for bone tissue engineering. The aim of our research is to deliver

1. a new generation of stable, life-long orthopedic/dental implants that offer strong bone–implant anchorage.

2. Novel smart scaffolds to permit greater control over the location and quality of bone regeneration, allowing faster healing.

Currently available modalities for treating large bone defects, are limited in their success. Developing synthetic scaffolds that promote bone growth and adequate vascularization is vital in orthopaedic and maxillofacial surgeries. The current generation of synthetic scaffolds, does not combine the required posorsity, mechanical properties and bioactivity. This presentation will highlight some of our newly developed novel highly porous and mechanically strong scaffolds that promote the migration, proliferation and differentiation of bone and endothelial cells for effective skeletal tissue integration and vascularization. Despite major advances in prosthetic technologies, implants have a finite life of 1015 years, due to their premature failure. Novel micro-engineered surfaces are required to anchor prosthetic implants to the surrounding bony skeleton. Various surface chemical modifications have been applied to prosthetic devices to enhance osseointegration. To-date none have resulted in a stable interface strong enough to support functional loading for the lifetime of the implant. Our group demonstrated that surface chemisrty modification of biomaterials with bioactive molecules have the potential to provide a surface on a prosthesis that is conducive to normal bone metabolism