Hydroxyapatite-Producing Bacteria May Improve Implant Performance
BY LAUREN UZDIENSKI, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
A strain of bacteria capable of producing hydroxyapatite (HA) could result in more effective coatings for medical devices, according to early research out of Birmingham, England. When applied to common materials for joint replacement devices, serratia bacteria were shown to produce HA as well as an adhesive biofilm layer. This biofilm allows the HA to bond to the base material, which is then heated and dried to kill the bacteria.
Hydroxyapatite is a calcium phosphate ceramic that promotes osseointegration, so it's frequently used as a coating on hip replacement devices. However, the Birmingham researchers note that HA is frequently sprayed on, an application that offers less mechanical strength and covers less of the device when compared to utilizing bacteria. The bacteria produce smaller HA nanocrystals, resulting in higher mechanical strength, and they can also cover all surfaces of a device, including those that would be impossible to reach with a spray.
