Biological evaluation of biomaterials for the regeneration of critical-sized bone defects

Bone can often repair itself, but very large defects caused by accidents, disease, or birth conditions cannot heal naturally and require medical treatment. This PhD research explored synthetic materials that could serve as scaffolds to guide bone repair. The scaffolds were made by combining polymers with ceramics or bioactive glasses, sometimes enriched with small amounts of elements such as zinc, copper, or cobalt, and manufactured with 3D printing. This research examined how these biomaterials influence mesenchymal stromal cells, blood vessel development, and immunomodulatory properties. Results showed that ion-modified composites and bioactive glasses derived from natural resources can stimulated both bone growth and vascularization, while 3D-printed designs improve the strength and can tailor the structure to patient needs. Together, these findings highlight how carefully engineered biomaterials can provide safe, ready-to-use alternatives to traditional bone grafts, offering a promising potential new treatment options for patients with large bone defects.