| Abstract Scope |
Current research in the treatment of critical size bone defects focuses on implantable biomaterials that support and enhance regeneration of native bone. Graphene oxide (GO) makes a great candidate for this application because it is biocompatible, osteoinductive, is safely and slowly resorbed by the body, and has a cheap, facile, and scalable synthesis. Its bioactivity can be further enhanced via functionalization with biomolecules such as peptides. Bone regeneration scaffolds frequently face challenges in retaining implanted and recruited cells, and promoting their survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Here, several short peptides are bound to graphene oxide to improve cell adhesion, regeneration of bone tissue, and repair of the vascular network. This is accomplished through covalent chemical linkages as opposed to noncovalent association to allow for sustained retention of the peptides and therefore sustained bioactivity of the material. In vitro assays demonstrate the desired biological effects of these conjugate materials. |