Engineering Bioactive Injectable Cements for Enhanced Bone Regeneration: An Immuno-Informed Approach

Overview

Critical bone defects remain a major clinical challenge, often requiring pre-formed grafts or substitutes that can trigger inflammatory responses and delay healing. This project focuses on developing injectable biphasic calcium phosphate cements enhanced with manganese ions and propolis-derived polyphenols to support bone regeneration. Manganese is a vital trace element in the human body, while propolis is a resinous substance collected and enriched by bees, known for its polyphenolic content. The cements were engineered to maintain ideal physicochemical properties in vitro while enabling controlled release of bioactive components that modulate macrophage behaviour - the primary immune cells in foreign body reactions. By promoting an early shift toward an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype, as determined by flow cytometry, these bone-mimetic cements create a favourable immune environment for bone tissue repair. This approach offers a minimally invasive and biocompatible alternative to traditional bone grafts, thereby improving regenerative outcomes in complex cases.

Awards (2)

• Bronze Medal
• Selected for CWSF 2026

Competition history

• CWSF 2026 Disease & Illness

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