FAU researchers develop nanoparticles for biomedical applications | WPN World People News

The body’s powers of regeneration sometimes fail. Around 350,000 people a year suffer from broken bones that cannot heal by themselves, while around 2.2 million patients with conditions such as diabetes have to cope with chronic open wounds. MOZART (Mesoporous matrices for localized pH-triggered release of therapeutic ions and drugs) aims to help these patients. The goal of the project is to use mesoporous – i.e. highly porous – silicate nanomaterials to support bone and wound healing.

The team of FAU researchers led by Prof. Dr. Aldo R. Boccaccini, Chair of Biomaterials, are developing new inorganic and mesoporous materials whose pores are approximately ten nanometres in size and which have a unique chemical composition. ‘The pores of these bioactive particles will be enriched with active agents and are designed to release medication locally in a controlled manner, meaning that the active agent is released in the location where it is required,’ Prof. Boccaccini explains. ‘This allows doses to be reduced and side affects to be avoided.’

The overall goal of the four-year project is to develop a database of new and bioactive nanomatrices. ‘We are delighted that we are able to contribute our expertise to such an important project,’ Prof. Boccaccini says. ‘If our new and innovative developments can be used in clinical application, this will benefit patients and enrich Europe’s healthcare sector.’

Source: Nanotechnology Now