Self-assembling polymers and peptides for hydroxyapatite mineralisation

该项目的目的是设计自组装聚合物和小分子，以控制口腔环境中羟基磷灰石晶体的成核和生长。我们将开发具有ph响应自组装和肽激发聚合物的智能嵌段共聚物，这两种聚合物都可以自组装成水凝胶、胶束、片层和蠕虫状胶束等形态。聚合物将与酸性基团功能化，从而诱导磷酸钙以羟基磷灰石的形式结晶。我们期望自组装结构的形态将有助于指导新生羟基磷灰石晶体的形态，从而导致类似牙釉质中羟基磷灰石的矿化结构。该项目将由M Shaver博士（PI）和F Nudelman博士（联合主管）以及C Fowler博士（GSK Healthcare）合作完成。该项目符合EPSRC的职权范围，包括医疗保健技术、生物材料和组织工程研究领域的主题：“研究具有新型化学、物理或机械性能的生物医学材料，或在包括再生医学在内的一系列医疗应用和干预中使用材料”。

The aim of the project is to design self-assembling polymers and small molecules that control the nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite crystals in the oral environment. We will develop smart block copolymers with pH-responsive self-assembly and peptide-inspired polymers, both of which self-assemble into morphologies like hydrogels, micellar, lamellar and worm-like micelles. The polymers will be functionalised with acidic moieties so as to induce the crystallisation of calcium phosphate in the form of hydroxyapatite. We expect that the morphology of the self-assembled structures will help direct the morphology of the nascent hydroxyapatite crystals, leading to mineralised structures that mimic those of hydroxyapatite in tooth enamel.This project will be a collaboration between Dr M Shaver (PI) and Dr F Nudelman (Co-supervisor), and Dr C Fowler (GSK Healthcare).The project fits into the EPSRC remit including the theme of Healthcare technology, research area of Biomaterials and tissue engineering: "Research into biomedical materials with novel chemical, physical or mechanical properties or use of materials in a range of medical applications and interventions including regenerative medicine".