Biologically inspired synthesis of bone-like composite: Self-assembled collagen fibers/hydroxyapatite nanocrystals

Replacement of bone tissue by graft materials and products of tissue engineering having composition, structure and biological features which mimic natural tissue is a goal to be pursued. A biomimetic synthesis has been performed to prepare new bone like composites constituted of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals and self-assembled type I collagen fibers. We have used a biologically inspired approach which proves that the biological systems store and process information at the molecular level. Two different methodologies were employed: dispersion of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) in free telopeptides collagen molecules solution and direct nucleation of HA into reconstituted collagen fibers during their assembling. The different preparation techniques were experimented then the composites thoroughly characterized and compared. Composite obtained by direct nucleation showed an intimate interaction of the inorganic and proteic components which modified the apatitic phase and made its composition, morphology and structure similar to the mineral component of natural bone.