Xinxin Ding

Xinxin Ding

Visiting PhD student (Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, China)

Development of hybrid and composite hydrogels based on the bioactive glass for bone tissue regeneration

 

Supervisors: Dr. Kai Zheng, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

Hybrid or multimaterial hydrogels with organic and inorganic components are promising materials commonly used to promote bone regeneration [1]. However, the wide application of composite materials may be compromised if they exhibit poor interfacial compatibility [2]. Modifying organic or inorganic components can improve interfacial compatibility and consequently enhance the properties of hybrid hydrogels [3]. In this project, hybrid and composite hydrogels based on bioactive glasses (BGs) and natural polymers (e.g., ADA-GEL, chitosan) will be developed following previous approaches [4] established in our Institute. In-depth physiochemical characterization and biological tests will be performed. Optimal components of hybrid (or composite) hybrogels will be selected to promote bone tissue regeneration.

[1] T. Xin et al., Inorganic Strengthened Hydrogel Membrane as Regenerative Periosteum. Acs Applied Materials & Interfaces 9, 41168-41180 (2017).

[2] T. Montheil, C. Echalier, J. Martinez, G. Subra, A. Mehdi, Inorganic polymerization: an attractive route to biocompatible hybrid hydrogels. Journal of Materials Chemistry B 6, 3434-3448 (2018).

[3] Q. Lu et al., Inorganic-organic gel electrolytes with 3D cross-linking star-shaped structured networks for lithium ion batteries. Chemical Engineering Journal 393, (2020).

[4] A. Leite, et al., Bioplotting of a bioactive alginate dialdehyde-gelatin composite hydrogel containing bioactive glass nanoparticles. Biofabrication 8, 035005 (2016).