Biomineralized collagen for bone regeneration: Insights into cell-material interactions

This thesis explores a lab-made material called biomineralized collagen, that bears strong resemblance to the native bone tissue. This similarity between synthetic material and native tissue is the basis for the question of whether cells that normally inhabit bone tissue would interact similarly with biomineralized collagen. Two cell types were explored, one called osteoclast, responsible for removing bone tissue, and another called mesenchymal stromal cell, a progenitor of cells capable of forming bone. This thesis shows that biomineralized collagen can be resorbed by osteoclasts. It also shows that mesenchymal stromal cells on contact with biomineralized collagen develop certain characteristics of bone forming cells, albeit to a limited extent. The major contribution it makes is in the field of synthetic materials for regeneration of large bone defects. The evidence presented suggests that biomineralized collagen has great potential to replace autologous bone transplant as the standard of care for large bone defects.