Synthesis and characterization of strontium-containing bioactive glasses for bone regeneration therapies: Evaluation of thermal, structural, and biological properties

• Grant number: 25/22599-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Danilo Manzani
• Grantee: Mariana Inácio
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This project proposes the synthesis of bioactive glasses based on the SiO2-Na2O-CaO-SrO-P2O5 composition, aiming to develop materials with enhanced properties for bone regeneration by progressively substituting CaO with SrO. The research is justified by the growing demand for efficient biomaterials for bone repair and the potential of bioactive glasses to stimulate osteogenesis. The main modification involves the gradual substitution of calcium oxide (CaO) with strontium oxide (SrO) in molar proportions of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%. This approach is promising because the Sr2+ beneficially affects bone metabolism, stimulating osteoblasts and inhibiting osteoclasts. The methodology involves synthesis via the melt-quenching method, followed by characterization using Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Additionally, in vitro assays will be performed to evaluate ion release and hydroxyapatite (HAp) formation as indicators of the formulations' bioactivity and osteoinductive potential. Finally, viability tests and evaluations of pre-osteoblastic cells from the murine strain MC3T3-E1 will be conducted in collaboration with the Biopolymers and Photochemistry Group from IQSC-USP. It is expected that this research will result in new glass compositions with superior performance, applicable in bone regenerative therapies and the development of health-focused technologies.