Bone tissue engineering—nano-glue polymer membranes for robust bone regeneration

In a new study now published on NPG Asia Materials, bioengineers report the development of a new fibrous membrane with stem cells to repair bone defects in the skulls of mice. For this, they incorporated mussel-inspired polydopamine protein as a promising compound to tether biological substances to the membrane surfaces, much like adhesive proteins in mussels. In the work, Yi Deng and a research team in the interdisciplinary departments of chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials technology, center for future materials and regenerative medicine in China and Australia, coated the biocompatible membranes with polydopamine nanoparticles to form many topological sites for calcium attachment and bone defect repair.