A conceptually new type of bio-hybrid scaffold for bone regeneration

Abstract

Magnetic bio-hybrid porous scaffolds have been synthesized, nucleating nano-apatitein situ on self-assembling collagen, in the presence of magnetite nano-particles. Themagnetic phase acted as a sort of cross-linking agent for the collagen, inducing achemico-physical-mechanical stabilization of the material and allowing us to control theporosity network of the scaffold. Gradients of bio-mineralization and magnetization werealso developed for osteochondral application.The good potentiality of the material as a biomedical device, able to offer assistance tobone regeneration through scaffold reloading with specific factors guided by an externalmagnetic field, has been preliminarily investigated. Up to now the proof of this concept hasbeen realized through in vitro assessments.