Luana Frias

Visiting student, I.DEAR program (University of Mar del Plata, Argentina)

Fabrication and characterization of  multicomponent coatings for biomedical applications

 

Supervisors: Zoya Hadzhieva, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini (Erlangen), Prof. Josefina Ballarre (Mar del Plata)

The use of metallic implants and prosthesis to repair or replace damaged bone tissues in orthopedics and dentistry has become a normal practice. Nevertheless, the mechanical, chemical and biological properties of these metallic implants have to be tailored in order to meet the requirements of the target application. Among different metals, titanium offers physico-chemical stability in the human body and magnesium benefits from its biodegradation ability [1]. However, further functionalization of the metallic surface with biocompatible and antibacterial coatings is often required in order to avoid bacterial infections and inflammation, facilitate implant osseointegration and provide suitable mechanical properties [2, 3, 4]. The aim of the current project is to develop composite coatings based on drug-loaded protein nanoparticles, bioactive glass particles and natural polysaccharides on titanium and magnesium substrates by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). In order to adjust the properties of the drug delivery system key parameters in the particle preparation process will be controlled and verified. Moreover, the morphological characteristics, chemical composition, biological and bactericidal activity, mechanical properties and degradation behavior of the multicomponent coating will be analyzed.

[1] S. Kamrani, C. Fleck, Biodegradable magnesium alloys as temporary orthopaedic implants: a review. Biometals 32 (2019) 185–193.

[2] E. Bealer, et al., Protein–Polysaccharide Composite Materials: Fabrication and Applications, Polymers 12 (2020) 464.

[3] L. Ramos-Rivera, et al., Antibacterial, pro-angiogenic and pro-osteointegrative zein-bioactive glass/copper based coatings for implantable stainless steel aimed at bone healing, Bioact. Mater. 6 (2021) 1479-1490.

[4] L. Cordero Arias, et al., Electrophoretic deposition of chondroitin sulfate-chitosan/bioactive glass composite coatings with multilayer design, Surface and Coatings Technology 315 (2017) 417-425.