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Université du Québec
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications
1650, boulevard Lionel-Boulet
Varennes, Québec, Canada
J3X 1S2
Krishna Nath Curriculum
Vitae (11/2004)
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Millions of implants made of diverse biocompatible materials are surgically
placed in humans each year. These biomedical devices are extremely useful
but still imperfect. Their longevity is limited, complications can arise
at many points, and their use is normally limited to patients with good
overall health.
Recent advances in molecular design and synthesis, materials science and
engineering, molecular biology, surface science, and imaging techniques
have converged to provide an exciting opportunity to develop revolutionary
new biomaterials for applications in health. Today the chemical, physical,
and biological properties of biomaterials can be optimised very rapidly.
At the same time, we now have a much better understanding of the structure
and modification of surfaces at the atomic and molecular level. Atoms,
molecules, and clusters can be used as functional building blocks for
fabricating totally new nanostructured materials, including those with
a variety of tailor-made properties. Moreover, the underlying biology
of processes is increasingly understood at the molecular level. These
powerful new tools offer significant opportunities for applications in
human health, and nanotechnology is on the verge of yirlding a revolutionary
impact in biology and medicine.
In the human body, most reactions occur at surfaces and interfaces. The
key to designing improved biomaterials is thus properly managing interactions
with the surface and at the interface between the material and the host
tissue. To improve implants, we will engineer materials on the nanoscale
in ways that promote tissue integration and improve biological function.
The immediate objective of our research project is to develop and apply
strategies based on nanotechnology to create a new generation of implant
surfaces coated with bioactive molecules. These surfaces will selectively
influence, guide, and accelerate the healing response and tissue integration
of biocompatible materials.
Research diagram |
