“If we could come up with a system where we already have something made of bone, that the body recognises and accepts, that’s the way to go,” says Dr Gerard Eddy Poinern, Head of Murdoch University’s Applied Nanotechnology Research Group (MANRG).

Artificial implants, and their associated issues, could be replaced by nanotechnology that replicates bone structures and is more easily accepted by the body / Image: Istockphoto

Hydroxyapatite is the main component of inorganic material found in bone. Headed by Dr Poinern, the MANRG is researching a new recipe for nano-hydroxyapatite to substitute for artificial implants in joint replacement surgery.  

“Rather than putting a plate in your body that’s made of titanium you can put a plate made of nano-hydroxyapatite,” says Dr Poinern.

“The point is because it’s the same system that is used by your body it should allow integration of bone material.

“It has an easier biocompatibility and bioactivity so the body repairs itself much faster.

“The beauty about this is because it’s in nanoform, like a powder, you can then shape it into screws, plates or any form. 

“So when you put it into the body, the body recognises it and tries to grow into it and accepts it quite well compared to some implants.”

Mr Ravi Brundavanam, who is supervised by Dr Poinern and Dr Zhong Tao Jiang at the MANRG, played a major role in pioneering the new chemical recipe to make nano-hydroxapatite, as part of his honours project.

“The point for us was to look at whether we could make the nanobone in a different way, so we came up with a new recipe for making it,” says Dr Poinern.

“Now that we have a prototype, we will look at the properties of this nano-hydroxyapataite compared to the micron size hydroxyapatite.

“We will map out its properties in terms of strength and load-bearing.

“We also want to do some tests and link up with a partner in the medical field to see whether it’s fully compatible.”

One of the risks associated with joint replacement surgery is the possibility of infection of implanted joints. If traditional methods such as antibiotic treatment do not cure infections, the implanted joint may need to be removed.

“Once you put the bone in it becomes a place to harbour bacteria because sometimes you have bacteria floating in your system following surgery,” says Dr Poinern.

“In this case of nano-hydroxyapatite you can dose it with antibiotics so as the bacteria comes in, it releases antibiotics and there is a stronger chance of the implant being accepted by the body.”

The MANRG team has several ongoing projects in the nanotechnology field, including the use of iron nano-particles to remove nitrates from fertilisers, nano-polymers to deliver anti-stroke drugs and nano-skin for scarless skin regeneration.

“Especially now with the credit crunch, this is the time when you should be able to look at how it [nanotechnology] will enhance your productivity and whether nanotechnology can give you that edge in terms of doing things better, smarter or cheaper,” says Dr Poinern.

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