Injectable, self-assembled composites for implantable orthopedic applications

摘要

Self-assembled DNA supramolecule s have similar dimensions and biochemical propertie s as natural molecules in tissues, such as collagen. Therefore, these molecules have great potential to serve as a new generation of implants. In this study, twin-based linker (TBL) nanotube s, and poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) reinforced with hydroxyapatite (HA) nanopartic les (TBL/HA/pHEMA composite) were investigated for orthopedic applications. In this study, the properties of this composite were characterized for surface morphology, mechanical properties and cytocompatibility. The solidification propertie s of the se composite s were optimized. Particularly, the composite s with the highest ratio of HA nanoparticles had a compressive strength similar to that of the natural vertebral disc. Thus, this study provided evidence that TBL/HA/pHEMA composite s are very promising injectable orthopedic implants.