Bioactive glasses currently used in biomedical applications react with body fluids to form the inorganic bone-like material known as hydropxyapatite (HA). Not only can the bioactive glass described here react in a similar fashion to form HA, but in addition, further useful applications are possible. One of these is that the glass may stimulate changes in cellular activity that are beneficial and accelerate vascularization and soft tissue growth. Another is that specific targeting and stimulation of certain cell types may be possible. The glass can be chemically modified to react quickly, in hours, or for longer periods of time, in months or years. Three dimensional scaffolds can be produced for tissue regeneration applications. The benefits associated with added growth factors may be obtained without significant increases in cost.

File Number: 09MST012 

Web site: http://ecodevo.mst.edu

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Case Manager: Keith Strassner (kdstrass@mst.edu)