Inorganic Materials, Bioinorganics, and Composites
Inorganic materials play a pivotal role in regenerative medicine, offering structural integrity, bioactivity, and chemical versatility. At MERLN, we explore a wide range of inorganic and bioinorganic systems—including calcium phosphates, glasses, silica nanoparticles, and therapeutic ions—to guide tissue repair and regeneration.
Ceramics, such as calcium phosphates and bioactive glasses, are particularly well-suited for hard tissue applications. Their stiffness and osteoconductivity make them ideal for supporting bone regeneration, while their degradation can be tuned to match tissue remodeling rates.
A key focus lies in the use of bioinorganic ions—such as calcium, phosphate, magnesium, zinc, and silicate—which are released from these materials and act as signaling molecules. These ions can stimulate angiogenesis, modulate immune responses, and promote osteogenesis or other lineage-specific differentiation, offering a powerful route to instruct cell behavior without the need for complex biologics.
In parallel, we design and functionalize silica nanoparticles as nanoscale platforms for controlled delivery, imaging, and cell guidance. Their high surface area, tunable porosity, and chemical stability make them ideal for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
To further enhance functionality, we integrate inorganic components into hybrid composites that combine the strength and bioactivity of inorganic phases with the flexibility and processability of polymers. These composites allow us to engineer materials tailored to specific clinical needs—bridging the gap between structural support and biological instruction.
