Synthesis, biological and physicochemical characterization of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) doped with cobalt (Co) to biotechnological applications

• Grant number: 22/10979-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Willian Fernando Zambuzzi
• Grantee: Luísa Camilo Suter
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Bones make up the skeletal system providing mechanical support, protection and shape to the body through homeostasis between osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts and osteoprogenitor cells, conferring plasticity to the tissue. However, in the case of the elderly population, it is common for osteoclast activity to exceed that of osteoblasts, causing excessive bone loss or even osteoporosis; such bone fragility increases the possibility of fractures and tissue loss. In order to recover bone functions in different physiological conditions, biomaterials are used, especially filling lesions and supporting tissue regeneration. Thus, the search for new biomaterials is positioned at the center of discussions on public health and of scientific interest, with strategic perspectives in economy and development. In this sense, ceramic biomaterials are widely applied in deteriorated tissues and organs because their bone mineral-like components favor osseointegration. Therefore, expanding the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, new ceramics composed of calcium phosphates are developed, which are commonly structurally modified in order to study the potential use of these biomaterials in orthopedics and orthodontics. In the constitution of new functional materials, cobalt is a hypoxiant agent that may contribute to angiogenesis events during tissue remodeling that reacts to biomaterials. Here, this project foresees the development of a new biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) doped with cobalt for applications in the health areas. Methodologies will be applied for physical-chemical and biological characterization, using cell culture. It is expected that, constituting the biomaterial and characterizing its biological and physical-chemical performance, this material will be able to contribute to the regeneration of bone tissue, as well as be proposed as a material in the constitution of bioinks in additive manufacture.