NANO-HYDROXYAPATITE IN BIOPOLYMERIC SCAFFOLDS FOR BONE

DESCRIPTION: Many new polymer systems are being developed to accommodate
biomaterial needs bone reconstruction. However, despite significant advances in
the development of newer tissue engineering technologies to better approximate
the complex three-dimensional nature of complex tissue equivalents, it has
remained a challenge to develop clinically applicable bone replacement
materials at least in part due to the difficulty to seed relatively thick
scaffolds with cells (>1 mm) and to maintain cell viability for prolonged
periods of time in vitro as well as in vivo. It is the purpose of this grant
application to develop strong, bioactive biopolymeric bone graft materials
using nanoparticulate hydroxyapatite ("nano-HA"). The overall objective is to
employ nanoparticle technology to biopolymeric scaffolds to improve their
ability to support cell penetration and maintain mechanical stability at bony
repair sites. This Phase I project will investigate the feasibility of
enhancing tissue responses in, as well as the mechanical integrity of, bony
defects subject to repair or void filling using scaffold fashioned from a
biopolymeric foam made via the crosslinking of poly(propylene
glycol-co-fumaric) acid (PPF) in the presence of effervescent filters.
PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATION:
Bone is the second most implanted material in the body after blood. There are over
450,000 bone graft procedures annually in the U.S. (2.2 million worldwide) with a market
potential of $400 to $600 million. New tissue engineered bone replacement materials would
find a niche in this ever growing market.