Shima Salmasi
University College London, UK
Title: The role of nanotopography on the design of an optimum nanohydroxyapatite/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane nanocomposite scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
Biography
Biography: Shima Salmasi
Abstract
As the majority of the biological reactions in human body occur on the surface or interference of a biomaterial or device, surface properties such as nanotopography can play critical role in determining the success of their implantation. As the result, the emerging fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine can greatly benefit from manipulation of nano-surface characteristics of implants and devices in order to guide and control the growth and differentiation of various cell types. For instance, it has been shown that the function of mesenchymal stem cells, multipotent stromal cells with the ability to differentiate to various cell types, could be regulated through physical interactions with specific nanotopographical cues such as surface roughness or stiffness. Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane poly(carbonate-urea) urethane (POSS-PCU), a new breed of novel nanocomposite material, developed by researchers at the University College London, has shown enhanced biocompatibility, superior mechanical engineering properties and augmented resistance. This novel polymer has already been successfully tested in vitro, in vivo and in human as a scaffold for bioartifical organs as well as a coating for medical devices. Here, we report of an investigation on the role of nano-surface characteristics of nanohydroxyapatite/POSS-PCU nanocomposite scaffolds for the purpose of bone tissue engineering. Our results indicate that by etching the surface of our scaffolds and/or introducing porosity, we are able to design surfaces with optimum roughness, stiffness and structure, which could then be used to guide and control cell attachment, growth and differentiation for the purpose of repairing or regenerating large bone defects.