Polymer synthesis of biomaterials for restoring hard and soft tissue function in oral-facila structures

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The underlying hypothesis of this discovery grant is that model esterase biodegradation systems for oral fluids can define polymeric biomaterial structures that will enable the design of biostable tooth restorative materials, as well as biodegradable scaffolds with peptide function for regenerating functional mucosal tissues. There will be 3 main themes to this discovery grant. Previous work by the PI has identified the most potent enzyme complexes in oral salivary fluids which are responsible for the biochemical breakdown of traditional polymeric composite materials used in tooth restorations. It is an objective of the renewal discovery grant to use model enzyme systems for the above enzyme complexes to methodically identify novel monomeric structures that could be used to conceive highly biostable and antimicrobial tooth restorative materials. In other work the investigator's lab has demonstrated that it is possible to modulate the biological function of bacteria at the molecular level with the release of low ppm to ppb levels of degradation products from composite polymers. Therefore, this renewal discovery grant will explore the synthesis of new monomers to generate composite materials which could release antimicrobial agents while fulfilling their functional role as a tooth filling. The last research theme will explore the fabrication of micro-porous scaffold structures that could support mucosal soft tissue cells.This work will emphasis 3 principle design parameters, believed to be essential in the ultimate goal of regenerating soft tissue in the oral cavity, including monomer conversion, biodegradation rates and cell proliferation within the 3-dimensional scaffolds. These materials may ultimately be used to restore tissue damaged by age, genetic and environmental related illnesses. The findings from this grant will provide a greater mechanistic understanding for the influence of monomer chemical structure on the physical, biochemical and biological outcomes of biomaterials, intended for a health related area (i.e. the oral-health sciences) that has physical, psychological/societal, and economic impact on Canadians. These polymers may also have potential uses in biological delivery concepts for agriculture and environmental management systems.