Researchers' Proposals
Transmucosal metal implants are mainly employed in orthopedic and dental surgery. The scientific profile of our laboratory is the investigation of osseointegration in titanium dental implants. The Growth Project „Surface improvement of metal implants” (SIMI) aims to develop new surface treatments of titanium implants able to trigger and control cell differentiation with the ability for different biological functions to be fulfilled simultaneously in different loci of the implant. Thus, a good osseointegration process of metallic implants in contact with bone tissue needs that strong links are formed between the biomaterial and the surrounding tissue. The SIMI contract proposes to use nanotechnological processes to reach these goals. Our proposal (NAS-SIMI) aims to contribute to the objectives of the SIMI project, to complete the investigation of the polyelectrolyte multilayer films prepared by alternative adsorption of polyanions and polycations. Complementary and reliable informations on these multilayer systems can be obtained by using the atomic force microscope (AFM). We plan also to use the benefits provided by the Atomic Force Microscopy technique to study and characterize the cellular adhesion on the solid surfaces coated by polyelectrolytes. This will represent a new biological activity test and will help the validation of the functionalised surfaces.