Biocompatibility of novel Ti-based alloys for biomedical applications

• Grant number: 21/12073-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2022
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Bioengineering
• Principal Investigator: Carlos Roberto Grandini
• Grantee: Mariana Rocha Corrêa
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Titanium and its alloys are used in orthopedic and dental implants due to the essential biocompatibility characteristics, high corrosion resistance, and high mechanical strength/density ratio compared to other alloys commonly used in the biomedical field. Among the titanium alloys used in Brazil and worldwide for orthopedic implants, the most used is the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. However, this alloy has cytotoxic elements: vanadium causes allergic reactions in human tissues, and aluminum is associated with long-term neurological disorders. Thus, the search for new alloys without these elements is one of the most promising activities, and alloys containing niobium, zirconium, molybdenum, manganese, and tantalum have been studied since these elements are considered ²-stabilizers. It is also essential that these new materials stimulate or do not interfere with cell growth and expansion. Preliminary tests can be performed from the cell culture system, in which it is possible to analyze cellular and extracellular matrix (ECM) events thoroughly. Thus, the current project focuses on the study of in vitro cytotoxicity of new titanium-based alloys, aiming at biomedical applications, as well as analyzing the morphology of osteogenic cells.(AU)