Solution mediated surface reactions of bioactive rapidly resorbable bone substitute materials and their effect on osteoblastic cell adhesion, intracellular signal transduction mechanismus and apoptosis

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Christine Knabe-Ducheyne
• Subject Area: Dentistry, Oral Surgery
• Term: from 2006 to 2008
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 25065391

The use of oral implants has become a common treatment to replace missing teeth. However, resorption of the alveolar ridge frequently mandates site development by bone augmentation before implants can be placed. The use of synthetic, biodegradable bone substitutes is advantageous for alveolar ridge augmentation since it avoids second-site surgery for autograft harvesting. Compared to the bone substitute materials, which are currently clinically used, there is a considerable need for more rapidly biodegrading materials. At the German Federal Institute of Materials Research and Testing novel, bioactive rapidly resorbable calcium phosphates were developed. Previously, we demonstrated that several of these materials are able to stimulate osteoblast differentiation thus enhancing osteogenesis. However, the underlying mechanisms are not yet well understood. Developing this understanding has been hampered by the inadequacy of the experimental techniques that could be used. At Jefferson University, however, new molecular biological methods have recently been brought to bear on similar problems of osteogenesis and they have been combined with insight from using powerful surface analysis techniques. In the research program proposed here, these advanced molecular methods will also be applied in combination with advanced surface analysis techniques. Hereby, the effect of bioactive, rapidly resorbing bone substitutes on cell adhesion and intracellular signaling mechanisms as well as apoptosis of osteoblasts will be elucidated. Furthermore, these in vitro data will be correlated with results from an in vivo study. The knowledge generated in this way, will contribute significantly to enhancing our understanding of the processes involved in tissue integration of bioactive implant materials at a molecular level.

• DFG Programme: Research Fellowships
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Irving M. Shapiro