Advertisement for orthosearch.org.uk
Orthopaedic Proceedings Logo

Receive monthly Table of Contents alerts from Orthopaedic Proceedings

Comprehensive article alerts can be set up and managed through your account settings

View my account settings

Visit Orthopaedic Proceedings at:

Loading...

Loading...

Full Access

Research

NATURAL BIOSILICA AS AN INDEX FOR BONE HEALING

The European Orthopaedic Research Society (EORS) 2018 Meeting, PART 1, Galway, Ireland, September 2018.



Abstract

Diatoms are unicellular microalgae whose cell walls are composed of remarkably uniform, hierarchical micro/nanopatterned, amorphous biosilica that cannot be replicated synthetically. Each species hosts its own unique morphology which is identically replicated generation-to-generation. There are currently estimated to be over 200,000 different diatom species, each with their own unique shape and morphology. This offers a huge array of surface topographies, particle sizes and shapes, each with the same silica precursor. Our research to date has shown that diatom-biosilica is non-cyctotoxic to J774.2 macrophages and hBMSC cells and does not invoke an immunological response or organ toxicity (kidney, spleen and liver) when tested in a murine model. Before testing diatom-biosilica in vivo in an animal fracture model, methods to incorporate the frustules into the defect are being investigated. Two methods have been developed 1) using a bioresorbable hydrogel and 2) 3-D printed polymer-biosilica scaffolds. Both methods have shown promising results with enhanced mechanical properties with the addition of the diatom-biosilica. Work is ongoing to further map and quantify the role of surface topography and chemical cues on cell fate through the systematic in vitro studies of different species of diatom-biosilica.


Email: