Helena Schwarz

Visiting Student, Gdańsk University of Technology, Poland

Engineering the Implant–Bone Interface via Bioactive Glass Nanoparticle/Chitosan Coatings

Supervisors in Gdańsk: Dr.-Ing. Łukasz Pawłowski, Dr.-Ing. Michał Bartmański

Supervisor in Erlangen: Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Titanium β-alloys, such as Ti–13Zr–13Nb, are considered promising materials for orthopedic and dental applications due to their non-toxic composition, lower elastic modulus, favorable corrosion resistance, and good biocompatibility with bone tissue [1]. However, their long-term clinical performance depends on the physicochemical and biological properties of the implant–bone interface. This project focuses on developing multifunctional chitosan-based coatings incorporating magnesium-modified mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles with the aim of improving implant bioactivity and osseointegration [2]. During the research stay at the FAU Institute of Biomaterials, the developed coatings will be further investigated with a particular focus on magnesium-related bioactivity and in vitro biological performance. The project will assess osteogenic responses and cell–material interactions to optimize the coatings for next-generation orthopedic implant applications.

[1] Abdel-Hady Gepreel M, Niinomi M; Biocompatibility of Ti-alloys for long-term implantation; Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials; 20 (2013) 407–415.

[2] Hoppe A, Güldal N S, Boccaccini A R; A review of the biological response to ionic dissolution products from bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics; Biomaterials; 32(11) (2011) 2757–2774.