Bernards, Waynant Publish Article on Stealth Coating to Aid Implant Acceptance
August 03, 2021
An article co-authored by University of Idaho Chemical Engineering Associate Professor Matt Bernards and Chemistry Assistant Professor Kristopher Waynant was recently published in Biomaterials Science in their “Recent HOT Articles” collection.
The article, “Synthesis of a zwitterionic N-Ser–Ser-C dimethacrylate cross-linker and evaluation in polyampholyte hydrogel,” focuses on using an amino-acid based molecule as a coating for implants to keep them from being rejected by the body.
“When a foreign object goes into the body, it detects that object and tries to destroy it,” Bernards said. “The hope is that, if we can prevent that detection step, we can enhance tissue regeneration through that material.”
Coating implants in this stealth biomaterial will be the first step toward major progress in preventing that detection process, and a provisional patent is in place. U of I faculty will collaborate with researchers at Washington State University to begin studying the effectiveness of this new coating material.
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The University of Idaho, home of the Vandals, is Idaho’s land-grant, national research university. From its residential campus in Moscow, U of I serves the state of Idaho through educational centers in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Idaho Falls, nine research and Extension centers, plus Extension offices in 42 counties. Home to nearly 11,000 students statewide, U of I is a leader in student-centered learning and excels at interdisciplinary research, service to businesses and communities, and in advancing diversity, citizenship and global outreach. U of I competes in the Big Sky and Western Athletic conferences. Learn more at uidaho.edu.