DEVELOPMENT OF FUNCTIONAL APATITE MICROSPHERE SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED BONE TISSUE REGENERATION VIA DROP-ON-DEMAND INKJET METHOD

Abstract

In recent years, microsphere scaffolds have garnered much attention due to its high surface area to volume ratio which facilitates good cell attachment and further proliferation. However, there were limited studies and development in two areas which will improve the functionality of apatite microspheres as bone scaffolds, potentially increasing the rate of bone tissue regeneration. Firstly, limited studies were conducted to study and optimize the associated fabrication parameters used to mass produce microspheres and to understand how fabrication parameters influence the yield, shape, surface, and biological properties of the HAp microspheres, which ultimately correlates to their efficacy and effectiveness as in-vivo bone scaffolds.This motivates the need for thorough analysis of the fabrication parameters and optimizing the parameter conditions. Secondly, despite hydroxyapatite being bioactive, its regenerative capacity could be further promoted by incorporating silicon into the HAp lattice. Incorporation of the right amount of silicon will enhance the biological activity of the apatite formed on the microspheres. Enhanced biological activity will improve the rate of bone regeneration. This inspires the idea for this PhD project, which is to develop functional apatite microspheres through the incorporation of silicon to enhance stem cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation.