(J-410) Cellulose Nitro-fibril (CNF) Composite for Osseointegration and Bone regeneration.

Bone defects and disease are a major global concern, as the structural integrity of the skeletal system and individual bones deteriorates with age. An imbalance in the production and resorption of bone cells severely impacts bone density, strength, and porosity, thus increasing susceptibility to fractures and osteoporosis. While bone grafts are the most extensively used therapy for significant bone abnormalities, there are clinical limitations to its use, amongst which are tissue rejection, lack of donors, cost, and infection. e.t.c. Therefore, alternatives that can imitate the form, properties, and function of human bone, allowing for the viability, proliferation, conduction, osteo-integration, and regeneration of bone osteoblasts are currently being explored. Our work attempts to engineer biomimetic bone scaffold composites utilizing naturally ubiquitous and available cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), and hydroxyapatite (HAP). This project first considers the fabrication of the CNF-HAP composite material, and the characterization of mechanical properties; Then evaluates the biocompatibility of the composite material evaluating in vitro cytotoxicity, cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation. Finally, MC3T3 pre-osteoblast and L-929 fibroblast were used to quantify the rate of mineral deposition and calcification within the scaffold.