Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Bioactive Macro/micro Porous Silk Fibroin/Nano-sized Calcium Phosphate Scaffolds with potential for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Aim: The development of novel silk/nano-sized calcium phosphate (silk/nano-CaP) scaffolds with highly dispersed CaP nanoparticles in the silk fibroin (SF) matrix for bone tissue engineering. Materials & methods: Nano-CaP was incorporated in a concentrated aqueous SF solution (16 wt.%) by using an in situ synthesis method. The silk/nano-CaP scaffolds were then prepared through a combination of salt-leaching/lyophilization approaches. Results: The CaP particles presented good affinity to SF and their size was inferior to 200 nm when theoretical CaP/silk ratios were between 4 and 16 wt.%, as determined by scanning electron microscopy. The CaP particles displayed a uniform distribution in the scaffolds at both microscopic and macroscopic scales as observed by backscattered scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography, respectively. The prepared scaffolds presented self-mineralization capability and no cytotoxicity confirmed by in vitro bioactivity tests and cell viability assays, respectively. Conclusion: These results indicated that the produced silk/nano-CaP scaffolds could be suitable candidates for bone-tissue-engineering applications.

Journal
Nanomedicine
Volume
8
Edition
Nanomedicine
Issue
3
Pagination
359-378
Publisher
Future Medicine
ISSN
1743-5889
URL
http://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/abs/10.2217/nnm.12.118?journalCode=nnm
Keywords
Bone Tissue Engineering, Calcium Phosphate, Nanocomposite, Scaffold, Silk Fibroin
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
This website uses cookies. By using this website you consent to our use of these cookies. For more information visit our Policy Page.