Antibacterial coatings for biomedical applications: synergistic effects of calcite, ε-poly-L-lysine and metal ions
Principal investigator
Unsuccessful implantation is one of the frequent complications in orthopedic and dental surgery, which can lead to serious consequences for patients. Among the key reasons for poor implant integration, peri-implant infections stand out - infections that are directly related to the implant. The formation of polymicrobial biofilms on titanium surfaces is recognized as the main cause of inflammatory processes in the tissues surrounding the implant. Such processes often end with the loss of functionality of the implant, which requires its removal. The research focus is on the treatment of titanium surfaces with epitaxially grown calcite crystals (the most stable form of calcium carbonate), enriched with different concentrations of Zn2+ ions and ε-poly-L-lysine, with the aim of developing new antibacterial and biocompatible implants. Calcium carbonate, a material known for its excellent biocompatibility and resorbability, creates a composite on the titanium surface that combines the antimicrobial properties of Zn2+ ions and ε-poly-L-lysine and the osteoconductive properties of calcium carbonate. By using different concentrations of Zn2+ ions and ε-poly-L-lysine as part of the project, the antibacterial properties of precipitated calcite will be improved. Functionalized calcium carbonate with embedded/adsorbed Zn2+ ions and ε-poly-L-lysine will serve as a release system for antimicrobial agents that reacts to changes in the pH of the environment, i.e. by dissolving in response to the acidic environment caused by bacterial activity, while at the same time improving the osseointegration of the implants.