Dr. Leonard Bauer

Visiting researcher (University of Zagreb, Croatia)

Ion releasing bioactive composite materials for bone tissue engineering

Collaborators: Zoya Hadzhieva, Meng Li, Prof. Aldo R. Boccaccini

The main objective of this project lies in the dual functionality of materials based on chitosan-metal complexes and bioactive glass in terms of optimized delivery of terapeutic ions involved in bone regeneration. The project proposes the synergy of ions from bioactive glasses and chitosan-metal complexes to induce specific cell responses for neovascularization and bone formation with enhanced antibacterial properties, combined in composite bioactive material. Proposed materials should serve as suitable platforms for angiogenesis through delivery of copper ions from chitosan-based microspheres and osteogenesis through bioresorption of bioactive glasses. The main goals of the project include synthesis and characterization of chitosan-metal complex microspheres modified by doped bioglass scaffolds and biological evaluation of prepared scaffolds. This is a DAAD-MZO bilateral project between our Institute and the group of Asst. Prof. Anamarija Rogina at Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Zagreb, Croatia.