PatIntNews

Researchers at the Universite de Montral have developed a process to produce new metal surfaces that proves to be superior medical implants that will improve healing and allow the human body to better accept metal prostheses.

The new research published in Nano Letters is a collaborative study between the Universit de Montral, McGill University, the Institut National de la Recherché Scientifique (INRS-EMT), Plasmionique Inc and the Universidade de So Paulo. A vital aspect of the research is that the surfaces can directly stimulate cells thereby eradicating the use of pharmaceuticals and consequential side-effects. The scientists capitalized on recent advances in nanotechnology to change metals that can influence cell growth and development in the body.

"Using chemical modification, we have produced metals with intelligent surfaces that positively interact with cells and help control the biological healing response," says Antonio Nanci, the study's senior author and a professor at the Universit de Montral's Faculty of Dentistry. "These will be the building-blocks of new and improved metal implants that are expected to significantly affect the success of orthopedic, dental and cardiovascular prostheses."

"An important element of this study is how we demonstrated the selective cellular effects of etching," says Dr. Nanci. "With subtle changes in chemical composition of etching mixtures, we can alter the nanopatterns that are created on the metal surface and control consequent cellular responses."

"Our study is groundbreaking," adds Dr. Nanci. "We use simple yet very efficient chemical treatments to alter metals commonly used in the operating room. This innovative approach may ultimately hold the key to developing intelligent materials that are not only easily accepted by the human body but that can actively respond to the surrounding biological environment