Objectif Bone tissue regeneration remains an important challenge in the field of orthopaedic and craniofacial surgery and sees a transplantation frequency second to that of blood. The total number of bone graft surgeries performed each year worldwide to repair bone defects in orthopaedics and dentistry is more than 2.2 million. Current clinical treatments for critical-size defects are challenging, and despite the natural capacity of bone for healing, if an injury is beyond a critical limit (critical size defect), it cannot heal by regeneration. Bone grafting is the current standard treatment; however, given the inherent limitations of this approach, bone tissue engineering and advanced biomaterials that mimic the structure and function of native tissues hold potential as a promising alternative strategy. Nanocomposites containing hydroxyapatite have attracted attention as they are structurally similar to natural bone and provide an osteoconductive matrix to which bone can react with ‘bone’. However, nanocomposites do very little to assist in the recruitment of host cells to assist in bone repair. To circumnavigate this issue, we propose the incorporation of piezoelectric nanofibres to promote guided cellular infiltration. At sites of bone fracture, naturally-occurring electric fields exist during healing which promote cell migration and may become perturbed at sites of critical bone defects. Our aim is to develop a novel hybrid material that consists of a biodegradable bioactive hydrogel network containing hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and PVDF(TrFE) nanofibres to produce a scaffold with mechanical and electrical properties akin to bone. In this study, the hybrid material will be fully characterised pertaining to its morphology, chemical composition, mechanical stability and piezoelectric response. Cells will be encapsulated within the hybrid material and viability and cytoperformance studies conducted as well as assessment of the materials innate osteoconductive properties. Champ scientifique medical and health sciencesclinical medicinesurgerymedical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringmedical and health sciencesclinical medicineorthopaedicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringpiezoelectricsengineering and technologymaterials engineeringnanocomposites Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Thème(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG - Marie-Curie Action: "Career Integration Grants" Appel à propositions FP7-PEOPLE-2013-CIG Voir d’autres projets de cet appel Régime de financement MC-CIG - Support for training and career development of researcher (CIG) Coordinateur UNIVERSITY OF GALWAY Contribution de l’UE € 50 000,00 Adresse UNIVERSITY ROAD H91 Galway Irlande Voir sur la carte Région Ireland Northern and Western West Type d’activité Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Contact administratif Mari Vahey (Ms.) Liens Contacter l’organisation Opens in new window Site web Opens in new window Coût total Aucune donnée