Abstract:
Previously, a series of three Ga2O3-Na2O-CaO-ZnO-SiO2 bioactive glasses was
created in which zinc (Zn) was incrementally replaced by gallium (Ga). The structure and
solubility of this glass series was then investigated in order to evaluate the ability of Gacontaining glasses to exhibit bioactive properties, and to determine whether these glasses were eligible candidates for biological studies. The results of this prior work suggested that these Ga-containing glasses exhibited potential as bioactive glasses, thus warranting further study. In the current study, the primary objective was not only to evaluate the biocompatibility of these glasses using cell assays, but to also develop a method of delivery for these glasses into a host system by impregnating these glass particles into a polymer hydrogel matrix, which consisted of functionalized forms of the polysaccharides dextran (Dex) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), which were cross-linked by hydrazone bonds. The structure and solubility of the glass-hydrogel composites were then investigated, and in vitro studies were carried out to evaluate their cytocompatibility with healthy fibroblast and osteoblast cells, their anti-bacterial and anti-fungal efficacy, and their cytotoxicity towards cancerous osteosarcoma and myeloma cells.
Description:
Advisory Committee Members: Matthew Hall, Anthony Wren, Nathan Mellott, Alexis Clare
Dissertation completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Materials Science and Engineering at the Inamori School of Engineering, New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University