This research project is focused on tissue engineering of in vitro grown calcified tissues. It will investigate the synthesis of bioactive ceramic templates for optimum formation of bone and bone- like tissue. This study is aimed at explaining the effect of ceramic substrates on the activity of osteoprogenitor cells and cells of osteoblastic phenotype. The relationship among the following time dependent parameters will be established: 1) the morphological and compositional characteristics of the extracellular tissue formation and the expression of osteoblastic phenotype; 2) the microscopical and ultramicroscopical composition and structure of the bioactive glass surface using FTIR, AES, ESCA and AFM; 3) the time dependent variation of extracellular fluid composition and fluid flow close to the glass surface; and 4) the zeta potential of the bioactive glass surface. This research is important since it could promote the new field of in vitro tissue engineering. The research could lead to improvements in the quality of materials to replace or repair bone.
