Surface nanoengineering of metallic surfaces for biomedical applications

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The immediate objective of my research program is conjugating materials science and nanotechnology to advance current implantable metals, in particular titanium, the gold standard in medicine. I propose to first apply a simple yet powerful electrochemical technique (i.e. anodization) to generate 3-dimensional nanotubular surfaces capable to act like in-situ drug-delivery platforms. Successively, in order to add another level of synergistic control, surfaces will be coated with a biocompatible hydrogel capable of dissolving if the local pH decreases from physiological values (7) to more acid ones (4-6). A decrease in the pH can be related to bacterial infection, inflammation and bone remodelling. This approach aims at creating a new generation of implantable metals with 'smart' surfaces capable of sensing physiological changes in the surrounding biological environment and responding accordingly by releasing bioactive agents, such as antibiotics. Ultimately, the proposed research program is expected to generate new knowledge in materials and surface science, as well as in characterization techniques, ultimately permitting to train graduate students who conjugate various disciplines. These trainees will be extremely well-qualified for interdisciplinary research in areas of strategic importance to Canada, such as biomedical engineering.****************