Barbieri Thesis - BioMedical Materials program (BMM)

Chapter 8 – General discussion
research is actively pursuing simple but effective solutions to tissue engineering
problems, such that the ideal of structurally simple, yet functionally complex,
biomaterials, for the near future. For example, osteoinductive micro–structured
calcium phosphate ceramics have already widely shown their potential in instructing
cells by means of the simple control of their surface/chemistry and are currently
commercially available (Attrax TM , Nuvasive Inc., San Diego, USA). At the same time,
we have shown in this thesis that producing degradable composite materials able to
instruct cells in vivo, with improved handling and mechanical properties is possible.
Such composites can be obtained by designing them with few proper ‘intrinsic’
characteristics, such as choosing the polymer phase molecular weight and monomer,
the inorganic filler content and chemistry. Besides this, further improving
osteoinductive calcium phosphate ceramics and composites may be pursued by, for
instance, adding ions to their chemical structure. Unpublished results from members
of our group have observed that adding certain ions (e.g. zinc, strontium or fluorine)
to calcium phosphate ceramics and composites can have beneficial effects on their
osteoinductive potential. In closing, exciting scenarios in developing biomaterials that
can actively interact with biological elements loom up on the horizon.
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