Engineered Self-Assembled Medical Scaffolds: Properties, Modification, and Application Testing

About the Project

Are you interested in developing novel degradable structures to address antimicrobial resistance?

Antimicrobial resistance is a current threat to the recovery of patients. It is projected that 1.91 million/yr deaths will occur in 2050 if no action is taken. To combat this threat, new materials are needed to kill bacteria.

Titanate materials are recognised for their promising properties in orthopaedic applications. Our work has revealed a novel ability of titanate-coated metallic microspheres to self-assemble into 3D scaffolds.

This PhD project will explore the biomedical properties of these self-assembled structures, focusing on two key innovations: chemical modification for antibacterial functionality and the development of degradable scaffolds.

Project aims and objectives

Aim: To develop and optimise the next-generation of self-assembled biomedical scaffolds, that can kill bacteria without the need for antibiotics, and are degradable to negate secondary surgery.

Objectives:

1. Literature review of biomedical scaffolds, their limitations, with emphasis on the advantages of self-assembled structures and clinical applications, as well as antibacterial and degradable examples.
2. Optimise the scaffold self-assembly mechanism to enable consistent scaffold formation
3. Develop and optimise chemically-modified antibacterial scaffolds through sequential alkali titanate conversion.
4. Develop and optimise degradable scaffolds through magnetron sputtering of magnesium/phosphate-based glass microspheres with a Ti coating, followed by alkali titanate conversion.