High toughness bioresorbable ceramics for bone regeneration

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

High toughness materials are on the forefront of materials science due to their immense number of applications ranging from civil engineer to bone reconstructions in dental and orthopedic surgery. However, bioceramics available for bone regeneration are either too brittle, or do not resorb and to be replaced by living bone in vivo upon implantation, which is critical for optimal bone regeneration. Natural biominerals, such as seashells and bone, are much tougher and stronger than most bioceramics. The main reason for these unique properties is, first, the hierarchal organization of their ultrastructure at different levels, namely the crystal organization, and second, the incorporation of structural proteins that increase fracture resistance. Dr Tamimi has discovered that certain calcium phosphate bone ceramics such as dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCP), though they are relatively brittle, they have optimal bioresorption and bone regeneration properties. ***The overall long -term goal of this research program is to develop new synthetic materials able to replace bone derived biomaterials for bone regeneration. In this context the short term goal of the research program for the next 5 years is to create high toughness bioceramics, made of bioresorbable dicalcium phosphates, using strategies inspired by natural biominerals in two main aims:***Aim 1) Ultrastructural organization in bioceramics***The formation of natural biominerals is regulated by specific biomolecules that control crystal nucleation, growth, morphology, organization and even function. These functional biomolecules are homochiral composed exclusively L-enantiomers of amino acids. Accordingly, in this aim we will study the previously unexplored option of using chiraly pure crystal growth inhibitors to control crystal growth at the nanoscale level to fabricate bioceramics with organized ultrastructure and high toughness.***Aim 2) Proteins reinforcement of bioceramics***Bone proteins serve a crucial role in organizing and reinforcing bone mineral structure, and regulating its interactions with the surrounding cells. In my published work, I showed that collagen can improve the biological performance of brushite bioceramics, and in my preliminary unpublished work, I discovered that noncollagenous bone proteins could be used to regulate collagen mineralization in vitro and increase osseointegration of brushite bioceramics in vivo. Building on these findings, this aim will focus on investigating how to improve the mechanical and biological properties of calcium phosphate bioceramics by fabricating them using bone proteins.***Novelty and expected significance:***This research program will trigger significant advancements in the field of biomineralization by unraveling the effect of enantiomeric molecules and bone proteins on bioceramic, and deliver a new generation of high toughness ceramic materials with a wide range of applications ranging bone regeneration to even construction and civil engineering.*****