Thaís Naitzel

Thaís Naitzel

 Visiting PhD student (University of São Paulo, Brazil)

Enhancing bioactivity of ceramic scaffolds by composite coatings

Supervisor in Brazil: Prof. Drª. Rosemary Aparecida de Carvalho (University of São Paulo, Brazil)

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

The increase in life expectancy has intensified the need for alternatives to repair biological tissues, leading to advances in tissue engineering. A key innovation is the use of ceramic scaffolds, such as alumina-zirconia nanocomposites [1], which support cell growth and can be combined with natural polymers to improve biocompatibility. In cases of bone infection, these scaffolds may serve as carriers for controlled antibiotic delivery, reducing the risks of rejection and infection [2]. This study investigates the coating of alumina/zirconia scaffolds with a natural polymer and the incorporation of an antibiotic, in a collaborative project between the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and the Institute of Biomaterials at Friedrich–Alexander University Erlangen–Nürnberg (Germany). The project is funded by CAPES through the PDSE program.

[1] SANTOS, K. H. et al. Influence of the cold plasma treatment on the Al2O3/ZrO2 nanocomposites surfaces. Applied Surface Science, v. 531, 2020.

[2] YEKANI, M. et al. Nano-scaffold-based delivery systems of antimicrobial agents in the treatment of osteomyelitis; a narrative review. Heliyon v. 10, 2024, e38392.