This work aimed at developing an in-vivo smart and responsive scaffold, presenting properties that will be regulated by the bone regeneration process, leading to the gradual formation of pores in-situ and consequent resorption. The approach consists in the incorporation of lysozyme into a calcium-phosphate (Ca-P) coating generated by a biomimetic route [1] on the surface of biodegradable chitosan scaffolds as way to tailor their degradation rate. Furthermore, since lysozyme has antibacterial properties, these coatings may act as carriers for its sustained release, preventing infection upon implantation.

References: [1] R. L. Reis et al., J. Mater. Sci: Mater. Med. 1997; 8: 897-905.