Osteoblast adhesion on nanostructured hydroxyapatite and gelatin scaffolds

CHED 477

Mira Georgy, mira-georgy@utulsa.edu, Dalia Georgy, dalhia-georgy@utulsa.edu, and Dale Teeters, dale-teeters@utulsa.edu. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Tulsa, 600 S. College Ave., Tulsa, OK 74104
Extensive research is currently being conducted in engineering bone tissue utilizing scaffolds for cell growth in order to reduce or replace transplants performed for bone fractures and damage. A relatively new area of work is concerned with the effect that nanostructuring of the scaffolding has on tissue growth. In this work, hydroxyapatite was coated onto an alumina filter membrane via RF Magnetron sputter coating, creating a 3-D nanoarchitecture that we have termed ‘nanobaskets.' In addition, a second scaffold of a gelatin gellan gum polymer was created using the alumina membrane filter as a template. Osteoblast-like cells, UMR-108, were seeded on these scaffolds, and their adhesion and morphology were examined using the SEM after 1, 2, and 4 days of incubation. Furthermore, EDS was utilized to determine the composition and relative quantity of bone matrix secreted by these cells, and a hemacytometer was used to quantify cell growth.