Surface functionalization of titanium alloys: development of a new co-culture model

• Grant number: 18/20605-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: February 12, 2024
• End date: March 11, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ana Paula Rosifini Alves
• Grantee: Ana Paula Rosifini Alves
• Host Investigator: Ketul Chandrakant Popat
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEG). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Guaratinguetá. Guaratinguetá , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Colorado State University, United States

Abstract

The major challenge of the materials for biomedical applications is to obtain a material with excellent bulk and surface properties. When inserted in the human body they must exhibit a good interaction and response. Studies about surface topography showed that TiO2 nanotubes improved the cellular adhesion. Roughness surfaces are beneficial for osseointegration and bone anchorage; however, it could induce bacterial accumulation in the implant surface. Accumulated bacteria are stimulated to form biofilm that acts as a medium for nutrient transportation as bacteria inside the dense. In vitro studies are needed to evaluate the potential of these coatings in the prevention of infectious processes.The proposal of this project is the establishment of new protocols for in vitro studies using bacterial / cell co-culture models to evaluate the efficacy of titanium alloy surface functionalization after the growth of TiO2 nanotubes associated with the deposition of biocompatible polymers and incorporation of particles. For the in vitro studies, initially the osteoblastic cells will be grown on the surface of the samples for 24 hours.Co-culture will be performed to cause an infection on the osteoblasts with two types of bacteria: S. epidermidis and S. aureus. After contamination of the osteoblasts they will be incubated with aerobic conditions and the surfaces will be evaluated using electron microscopy and fluorescence. (AU)