Yile Wang

Master student

Protein/bioactive glass composite hydrogels for biomedical applications

 

Supervisors: Dr. Kai Zheng, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Bioactive glass nanoparticles (BGN) are versatile biomaterials for a variety of biomedical applications including bone regeneration and wound healing [1]. Their combination with protein biomaterials (e.g. gelatin, collagen) can lead to multifunctional composites [2]. In this study, we aim to develop novel injectable protein/BGN composite hydrogels for bone regeneration application. The influence of BGN (e.g. size, chemical composition) on the properties (e.g. injectability, mechanical properties, crosslinking degree) of protein-based hydrogels will be investigated. Cellular responses of the optimized composite hydrogels will be evaluated.

[1] K. Zheng, A.R. Boccaccini, Sol-gel processing of bioactive glass nanoparticles: A review, Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 249 (2017) 363–373.

[2] A.R. Boccaccini, M. Erol, W.J. Stark, D. Mohn, Z. Hong, J.F. Mano, Polymer/bioactive glass nanocomposites for biomedical applications: A review, Compos. Sci. Technol. 70 (2010) 1764–1776.