WHAT CAN BIOMIMETIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATES PROVIDE US?
The July 2, 2020
The « Phosphates, Pharmacotechnics, Biomaterials" (PPB) group at CIRIMAT undergo research activities demonstrating the relevance of calcium phosphate-based bioinspired materials for bone repair and nanomedicine. Some of this research will be developed in the frame of the new EU AIMed program.
Biomimetic and inspiration
For decades, Nature has inspired civilisations throughout the world. Researchers have often attempted to mimic natural processes and materials to fulfil human needs, based on concepts established over millions of years. In this view, biominerals (such as nacre, bone, teeth, coral, and antlers) have attracted a lot of attention as a result of surprisingly-high bioactivity, mechanical properties and complex three-dimensional organisations at the molecular scale.
The PPB research group at the CIRIMAT Institute in Toulouse seeks to understand the underlying mechanisms in the synthesis and functionalisation of bioinspired calcium phosphates such as biomimetic apatites mimicking the mineral part of bone. They are also designing original processing approaches, often by soft chemistry, to address clinical needs – e.g. obtaining consolidated bioceramics eventually porous or coatings on implants/prostheses – while retaining the appealing hydrated and nanosized features of their precursors.
Bio-inspired apatite and related calcium phosphate compounds are particularly interesting to study for the development of innovative (multi)functional medical devices, whether for bone repair or for nanomedicine, in particular exploiting their exceptional ion exchange and adsorption/desorption properties. They should continue to lead to the development of new smart medical devices (e.g. stimuli-responsive) in the future.
Learn more about the research (page 202)
AIMed project: reducing infection in orthopaedics
Postoperative infections by antibiotic-resistant bacteria are on the rise for orthopaedic implants, such as osteoarticular prostheses, and represent a heavy burden for patients and healthcare systems. This is why the prevention of biofilm formation on the surface of the implants is important.
The AIMed project, financed by the European Union, will develop a series of biomaterials with antibacterial properties. Two main strategies will be developed: (i) via innovative biomaterials and (ii) exploiting laser processing on biomaterials surfaces, to make them more resistant to the formation of biofilms. This collaborative project consists of a network of 12 beneficiaries and 6 partner institutions; it will test the properties of the new materials to demonstrate that they are suitable for use in future implant interventions.
The AIMed project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No 861138.
Contacts
Christophe Drouet, PhD: christophe.drouet @ ensiacet.fr
David Grossin, PhD: david.grossin @ ensiacet.fr
