Andrada-Ioana Damian-Buda

Ion Releasing Bioactive Glasses for Soft and Hard Tissue Engineering: Fundamental Studies on the Mechanisms of Interaction of Ions and Cells

Supervisor: Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dr. h.c. Aldo R. Boccaccini

In recent years, ion-doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs) have emerged as a promising alternative to conventional therapies due to their ability to deliver therapeutic ions (e.g., Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺) known to modulate different processes such as angiogenesis, osteogenesis, and inflammation [1,2]. Moreover, the compositional versatility of MBGNs allows the incorporation of multiple ions and biomolecules in a single nanoplatform [3,4]. However, the mechanisms underlying ion–cell interactions and potential synergistic effects remain poorly understood. Thus, this project is investigating the mechanisms underlying the interactions of the cells with both therapeutic ions and ion-doped MBGNs and to further enhance the MBGN–cell interactions. The developed MBGNs are characterized in terms of physicochemical properties as well as in-depth biological assays. In the second part of this thesis, therapeutic ions and MBGNs will be incorporated into 3D matrices in advanced 3D tissue constructs. These nanocomposites will be optimized for 3D bioprinting and evaluated in terms of mechanical properties, degradation behaviour, ion release, biological properties and antibacterial activity. Hence, this doctoral thesis will offer valuable insights and strategies for the design of ion-containing multifunctional biomaterials to provide fundamental contributions to ionic medicine and tissue engineering applications.

[1]    F. Kurtuldu, H. Kaňková, A. M. Beltrán, L. Liverani, D. Galusek, A. R. Boccaccini, Mater Today Bio 2021, 12, 100150.
[2]    A. Hoppe, N. S. Güldal, A. R. Boccaccini, Biomaterials 2011, 32, 2757.
[3]    A.-I. Damian-Buda, Q. Nawaz, I. Ünalan, A. M. Beltrán, A. R. Boccaccini, I. Unalan, A. M. Beltrán, A. R. Boccaccini, Ceram Int 2023, 49, 29923.
[4]    A.-I. Damian-Buda, I. Unalan, A. R. Boccaccini, ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2024, DOI 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.4c00218.