Speakers - 2026

Title: Engineering multifunctional nanocomposites: From hardystonite graphene biomaterials to inorganic nanoparticle based drug delivery for neurodegenerative disease therapy

Abstract

Background: The convergence of nanomaterials engineering and biomedical applications represents a paradigm shift in addressing critical challenges in regenerative medicine and neurotherapeutics. Despite advances in biomaterial development, significant obstacles persist in achieving optimal mechanical properties for hard tissue implants and overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for effective drug delivery in neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods: We developed a novel approach combining sol-gel synthesis with hydrothermal processing to fabricate mesoporous hardystonite/reduced graphene oxide (HT/RGO) nanocomposites with controlled architectures. The materials were comprehensively characterized using XRD, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, and BET analysis. Additionally, we systematically investigated inorganic nanoparticle-based platforms—including gold, silver, metal-oxide, and quantum dots—for targeted drug delivery across the BBB, employing electrophoretic deposition techniques for bioactive coatings on metallic substrates.

Results: Integration of RGO into hardystonite matrices achieved remarkable enhancements: 27.59% increase in bending strength, 34.33% improvement in toughness, 86% elevation in compressive modulus, and an unprecedented 11.8-fold increase in fracture toughness compared to pure hardystonite. The nanocomposites demonstrated superior biocompatibility, with enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on 1 wt.% HT/RGO scaffolds. Furthermore, our inorganic nanoparticle systems successfully facilitated BBB penetration through receptor-mediated transcytosis and enhanced drug bioavailability in the central nervous system, offering multi-modal capabilities for imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases.

Conclusion: This multidisciplinary research demonstrates how nanotechnology enables "engineering the impossible"—simultaneously solving the mechanical limitations of bioceramics and the delivery challenges in neurotherapeutics. By synergistically combining advanced nanomaterials synthesis, surface engineering, and targeted delivery mechanisms, we have created next-generation platforms that bridge fundamental materials science with transformative clinical applications. These innovations represent critical steps toward the next scientific revolution in regenerative medicine and neuroprotection.