Zhang L.J., Rodriguez J., Fenniri H., Webster T.J.
Brown University, US
Keywords: biomimetic, helical rosette nanotubes, nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite
The objective of this study was to create a novel biomimetic hydrogel composite based on helical rosette nanotubes (HRNs) and nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA). HRNs are newly-developed self-assembled nanomaterials with DNA base pair building blocks. HRNs not only mimic the helical nanostructure of collagen in bone but they can also be functionalized to possess flexible surface chemistries. HRNs increase in viscosity when heating, which makes them suitable as injectable bone substitutes with a biocompatible hydrogel. In this study, three different sizes of nanocrystalline HA were synthesized and will be combined with HRNs in order to increase cytocompatibility and mechanical properties. Preliminary results showed that HRNs have excellent affinity with nano HA and HA particles can align on HRN-K1 similar to hydroxyapatite and collagen in natural bone. More importantly, HRNs with nanocrystalline HA promote osteoblast adhesion when coated on titanium. Furthermore, 2% and 10% (wt) nanocrystalline HA were dispersed in HRN hydrogels before and after sonicating. Results showed that more nano HA filled into the pores of 2% HA containing hydrogels after sonicating than 20% HA containing unsonicated HA, thus, potentially improving mechanical properties of the scaffold. Thus, this study, for the first time, demonstrated that biomimetic HRN/nano HA are cytocompatible with osteoblasts and embedding them into hydrogels have the potential to promote bone growth and improve scaffold strength.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Nanotechnology 2008: Life Sciences, Medicine & Bio Materials – Technical Proceedings of the 2008 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: June 1, 2008
Pages: 214 - 217
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Materials Characterization & Imaging
ISBN: 978-1-4200-8504-4