Nanobiomaterials for bone tissue engineering

Abstract

Biomaterials with functional properties are used to fabricate scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Several of these materials can be derived from nature, processed and transformed into regenerative scaffolds and/or artificial matrices for applications in bone tissue repair or regeneration. In this chapter, we discuss the basic biology of bone development and the utilization of chitosan, hydroxyapatite and diatoms for BTE. The regenerative properties of Chitosan are desirable due to its close proximity with glycosaminoglycan—an extracellular matrix polysaccharide, which interacts with collagen fibers. Nano-hydroxyapatite is an inorganic component of natural bone matrix with osteoinductive properties. Diatoms are important source of biogenic silica and their high surface area, as well as nanoscopic pore structure make them desirable for delivery of biomolecules and reinforcing structural functions of three-dimensional scaffold matrices. Additionally, we discussed the methods used to fabricate the scaffolds for bone repair.