Prosthetic actions: ideal implants will be made from the waste of the fishing industry

Russian scientists have developed a new material for bone repair based on marine collagen obtained from waste from the fishing industry. In combination with bone mineral, it reproduces the structure of living bone, has high biocompatibility and promotes the launch of natural healing processes. The new method of connecting the components ensures the strength and durability of the implants. According to the developers, the technology opens up opportunities for creating safer, more affordable and ethical solutions in dentistry and surgery. At the same time, experts note that entering the market will depend on economic factors and the quality of the material compared to analogues. For more information, see the Izvestia article.

The growing demand for dental implants

Perm Polytechnic University scientists, together with colleagues from the I. Kant Baltic Federal University, have created a biomaterial that is as close to natural bone tissue in structure and properties as possible. It not only integrates safely with the patient's body, but also triggers natural healing processes, forming a solid foundation for new bone growth. The development is capable of improving the effectiveness of treatment in dentistry, maxillofacial surgery and traumatology, as well as making such technologies more accessible and safer, scientists told Izvestia.

As a key component, the researchers used marine collagen, a building protein isolated from the biomass of jellyfish and walleye skin. Unlike traditional collagen of animal origin, it is hypoallergenic, carries no risk of transmission of infections and is ethically neutral. In addition, such raw materials can be obtained from the waste of the fishing industry, which makes the technology economically and environmentally beneficial.

The key task was to combine organic protein with a solid mineral component without damaging the collagen structure. To do this, the researchers compared two crosslinking methods: the traditional one using glutaraldehyde and the modern biocompatible EDC/NHS system.

The analysis of microstructure, chemical bonds and resistance to biological degradation showed the advantage of the new approach. Infrared spectroscopy has confirmed that the EDC/NHS method allows you to preserve the natural structure of collagen, so that the body perceives the implant as "its own".

— The new EDC/NHS method forms a structure with evenly distributed particles with an average size of 8 micrometers, which is twice as small as when using glutaraldehyde (15 micrometers). Such a structure with small, evenly distributed particles more accurately repeats the architecture of natural bone and creates optimal conditions for the integration of the implant with living tissues," said Yulia Kulikova, senior researcher at the REC "Industrial Biotechnologies" at the I. Kant BFU.

A well-thought-out reaction: the DNA chip diagnoses many diseases from a drop of blood.

How do scientists plan to combine a biocomputer with modern electronics

To compensate for the insufficient strength of collagen, scientists have introduced hydroxyapatite, the mineral base of natural bone, into the composition. Experimentally, the optimal ratio of components was selected: 1 g of collagen per 0.25 g of mineral. This made it possible to maintain the elasticity of the material without compromising its mechanical strength.

Over the past four years, sales of dental implants in Russia have increased by 81%. At the same time, their installation often requires a preliminary build-up of bone tissue. More than 60,000 such operations are performed annually in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery alone. In general, according to experts, over 1.6 million surgical procedures are performed in the country per year related to the restoration of lost bone tissue after complex fractures, injuries, removal of tumors and foci of infection. Such data are provided in the study "The need for bone plastic materials in Russia, taking into account the prevalence of bone defects and market analysis."

New generation biomedical materials

Tests for resistance to degradation using the collagenase enzyme have shown that the material obtained using EDC/NHS retains its integrity much longer under conditions simulating the operation of an implant in the human body.

"This research paves the way for the creation of a new generation of biomedical materials. Based on the technology, it will be possible to produce a range of medical products: from biomaterials for bone augmentation in dentistry and maxillofacial surgery to specialized bio-ink for 3D printing of individual implants of complex shape," explained Ilya Vindokurov, a junior researcher at the PNRPU Mechanics of Biocompatible Materials and Devices Laboratory.

According to the developers, the new technology can significantly reduce the risks of complications and make bone repair more effective, especially for elderly patients whose natural regeneration mechanisms are slower.

— The development is relevant and expands the arsenal of means for restoring bone tissue, which is especially important for surgical dentistry and maxillofacial surgery. Marine collagen-based material looks like a promising and ethical solution due to its hypoallergenic nature and the use of affordable raw materials, especially in cases where biocompatibility and natural healing are critical. At the same time, the issue of mechanical strength remains key for clinical use: rigid structures are necessary when repairing extensive defects. If this task can be solved, the technology will become a valuable addition to existing methods," explained Ivan Bayrikov, Head of the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry at SamSMU, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, MD.

Go into the bones: an antibiotic implant will rid the wounded of infections

How new technology will help you recover quickly from severe fractures

If the development is brought to mass production, it can form a stable and significant market, as well as have a positive impact on the technological sovereignty and export potential of high-tech products and solutions, said Alexey Cook, a leading FoodNet NTI market expert and economist.

— Among the advantages are the availability and sufficient volume of raw materials, as well as a more technologically advanced and potentially cheaper solution compared to existing analogues. However, there are still risks: a long cycle of research and testing, as well as a possible increase in the cost of raw materials as interest from manufacturers develops. There are a number of technological and regulatory barriers, and it is not yet known whether they will be overcome and in what time frame," he explained.

According to Alexey Cook, entering the implantation market will be difficult, so the key factor will be the economics and quality of the material compared to its analogues.