PhD Theses

ON GOING

Antibacterial properties of ion-doped nanostructured calcium phosphate surface

The escalating incidence of bone-related injuries, coupled with high rates of surgical site infection and rising antimicrobial resistance, necessitates new antibiotic-free bone graft strategies. This thesis addresses this clinical challenge by engineering commercial-ready calcium phosphate biomaterials to establish a synergistic antimicrobial defense. The approach combines two potent mechanisms: high-aspect ratio nanotopographies (physical defense) and ion doping (chemical defense) within a single substrate. This work establishes a viable platform for next-generation bone grafts offering a built-in defense against infection while promoting bone repair.

ON GOING

Bio-inspired AntiMicrobial Bone Bioceramicos: Deciphering contact-based biocidal mechanisms

Nanostructured surfaces hold great promise as antibacterial biomaterials by disrupting bacterial cell envelopes, which are essential for integrity and rigidity. Variations in surface chemistry, geometry, and nanotopography can compromise bacterial morphology and mechanics, thereby reducing adhesion and biofilm formation. This project explores these effects using calcium phosphate scaffolds with engineered nanotopographies. Atomic Force Microscopy will quantify nanoscale morphological changes and mechanical responses of selected bacterial species. Experiments under static and dynamic conditions, including bioreactor flow, will be combined with simulations to establish direct correlations between surface features and bactericidal efficacy.

ON GOING

3D Printing of Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics by Digital Light Processing

Digital Light Processing has emerged as a novel 3D printing technique for the manufacturing of synthetically engineered bone grafts. This technology enables the manufacturing of intricate and complex geometries that better mimic the architecture of natural bone. In our research we combine this high-resolution printing with the use of self-formulated resins containing biocompatible polymers and reactive calcium phosphate ceramics. The outcome printed scaffolds are flexible at an initial state, easing their manageability, and harden under physiological conditions, meeting the bone standards after implantation. This research aims at providing synthetic bone grafts that better mimic the natural bone, and improves clinical outcomes.

ON GOING

Mimicking insect wings to combat bone infections

This thesis consist in developing calcium phosphate (CaP) bone grafts with antimicrobial nanostructured topographies inspired by insect wings. These surfaces, composed of nanopillars, physically rupture bacterial walls, preventing resistance while remaining biocompatible with osteoblasts. Calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA), a cement mimicking bone platelets, will be used, as its nanostructure can be tuned by synthesis parameters. The thesis has two main goals:
1. Create and test bactericidal CaP surfaces.
2. Uncover mechanisms using synchrotron cryo–soft X-ray spectromicroscopy and bioinformatics.

ON GOING

Functionalization of calcium phosphate nanotopographies with antimicrobial peptides for bone applications

Synthetic bone grafts based on calcium phosphate are widely used to enhance bone regeneration due to their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductive properties. However, biomaterial-associated infections remain a major clinical challenge that can compromise the success of these biomaterials. To address this limitation, this thesis develops bactericidal CDHA-based materials that combine tailor-made high aspect-ratio nanotopographies with antimicrobial peptides. This approach aims to achieve synergistic antibacterial properties while preserving a high osteoregenerative potential, offering a multifunctional material for bone applications.