MINATEC

LMGP has developed nanometric films that can store an osteoinductor growth factor and, consequently, increase the chances that an implant of orthopedic biomaterials (for fractures, or vertebrae fusion, for instance) will be successful. These biopolymeric films are deposited on the implant, and have many layers ranging from 100 nm to several microns thick. They mimic natural bone matrices and can serve as a reserve of growth factor, delivering a strong local dose and actively releasing the growth factor for at least twelve days (in vitro). This is significant because the manner in which bone regeneration is initially “steered” plays a key role in an implant’s long-term success.
LMGP has started two in vivo tests with a team from CNRS in Paris, and technology transfer work sponsored by GRAVIT has just begun. 
Contact: catherine.picart@minatec.grenoble-inp.fr
Published in Small in March 2010