Bioactive surface coating of bioinert oxide ceramics for stimulating bone anchoring

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Christian Heiß; Professor Dr.-Ing. Kurosch Rezwan, since 3/2016
• Subject Area: Biomaterials
• Term: from 2011 to 2019
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 200011508

Integration of orthopaedic and dental implants and regeneration of damaged bone is crucial for long term clinical success. Despite strong development and progress over the past decades, alternative strategies to create materials, that simultaneously match the biological and mechanical properties of the bone defect, and provide a strong anchoring and long-lasting at the implant/bone interface, are still required. In order to fulfil all these requirements, this proposal aims to develop surface coated yttria stabilized zirconia (TZ) implants able to sustain bone healing, bone/implant anchorage, and suppress implant loosening. The experimental work carried out in the first funding period showed that surface coatings obtained by the wet powder spray (WPS) method and containing bioactive components (CP and Mg) and bioinert reinforcing, non-resorbable phase (TZ) simultaneously featured bioactivity, mechanical stability and firm adhesion. To validate their clinical relevance, an extensive in vivo analysis mimicking its foreseen clinical purpose and aimed at exploring the cellular and molecular interaction and response of coated implants under load, integral and uncontrolled physiological environment is mandatory. The effect of the coating composition on cellular response and healing process around the implants will be characterised by monitoring inflammation, angiogenesis, vascularisation, bone formation and remodelling processes. This proposal will be conducted at the University of Bremen, the Justus-Liebig University and the University Hospital of Giessen-Marburg, Gießen, and profit of an already established collaboration and mutual expertise of the two applicants research groups and access to equipment and infrastructure facilities, a more rapid clinical validation and material optimization is expected.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Philipp Streckbein
• Ehemalige Antragstellerin: Dr. Laura Treccani, until 2/2016