Workgroup Leaders: Dr. Kinga Turzó, Dr. Balázs Patczai
Contact: turzo.kinga@pte.hu, patczai.balazs@pte.hu
In recent decades, the study of biointegration of alloplastic materials and the development of biocompatible materials have become some of the fastest-growing areas of biomedical sciences. With the increasing average human lifespan, there is a growing demand for materials that can replace non-functional or missing body parts or organs. These materials, known as alloplastic or biomaterials, include orthopedic prostheses and dental implants, which are among the most widely used biomaterials.
Our research group aims to support the development of orthopedic implants and bioactive materials through modern material science research and innovative approaches. Our projects are conducted under the leadership and professional support of Dr. Kinga Turzó, Associate Professor (University of Pécs Clinical Centre, Dental and Oral Surgery Clinic).
One of our main research directions focuses on characterizing the surfaces of titanium (Ti), cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr), and stainless steel prostheses manufactured by the company Sanatmetal. The surface properties of biomaterials, such as roughness and surface energy, greatly influence the response of the host organism, making it crucial to understand the interface between the biomaterial and the host. We analyze morphological and surface composition data using SEM-EDS, while AFM and profilometer techniques help determine morphological characteristics and roughness. XPS measurements provide analytical precision in defining surface composition, verifying and refining SEM-EDS results. These findings have been presented at several international conferences and published in the following paper: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091193.
Another important area of our research is the study of bioactive glasses used in orthopedics and traumatology. In addition to literature reviews, we conduct in vitro studies with S53P4 Bioactive Glass discs, which are preconditioned for stable pH and placed on cell culture plates. Microscopic imaging revealed cell adhesion, proliferation, and spheroid formation on the granules, suggesting mineralization centers. Trypan blue staining confirmed cell viability on the bioactive glass surface. We are studying the adhesion and proliferation of MG-63 osteoblast-type cells at observation intervals of 24, 48, 72, 96, and 168 hours, under the leadership of Dr. Beáta Polgár, Assistant Professor (Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs). The results have been presented at multiple conferences and are summarized in an English-language publication.