ASSOCIATED MAJORS:

1. ENGINEERING

• Chemical Engineering

1. LIFE SCIENCES AND MEDICINE

• Biology
• Pharmacology

1. NATURAL SCIENCES

• Chemistry

PROJECT TITLE:

Nanobioadhesives: a new biomaterial for dental enamel regeneration.

PROJECT SUMMARY. Description of activities and objectives:

This project is focused on the development of novel biodegradable, biocompatible and nontoxic nanobioadhesives based on the creation of new nanobiohybrids -composed of albumin as matrix, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HApNPs) and DOPA polymers- as a new biomaterial for enamel regeneration. Firstly the synthesis of these novel bionanohybrids will be performed. The strategy will consist in the application of a biomolecule (albumin, a natural protein presented in the saliva) which induce the in situ formation of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, from a phosphate aqueous solution of calcium salt, generating a nanohybrid with HApNPs dispersed on the protein structure. This biohybrid will be modified by conjugation with tailor-made DOPA-polymers, obtaining a conjugate containing the inorganic material of the enamel (HAp), and the functional reactive groups for adhesion and curing process (COOH and catechol group). The optimization and application in the adhesion process of these new biohybrids will be evaluated, selecting the bionanohybrid with the most rapid and efficient adhesive mechanism. Therefore this project proposes as specific goals, the employ of natural materials existing in the human body, obtaining stable, strong and rapid adhesive bionanohybrids containing nanoHAp for the regeneration of enamel. This aspect will permit the achievement of a novel approach in biomaterials for dentistry but also with applicability to other fields.

http://www.icp.csic.es/