title: Recent advances in research applications of nanophase hydroxyapatite.
abstract: Hydroxyapatite, the main inorganic material in natural bone, has been used widely for orthopaedic applications. Due to size effects and surface phenomena at the nanoscale, nanophase hydroxyapatite possesses unique properties compared to its bulk-phase counterpart. The high surface-to-volume ratio, reactivities, and biomimetic morphologies make nano-hydroxyapatite more favourable in applications such as orthopaedic implant coating or bone substitute filler. Recently, more efforts have been focused on the possibility of combining hydroxyapatite with other drugs and materials for multipurpose applications, such as antimicrobial treatments, osteoporosis treatments and magnetic manipulation. To build more effective nano-hydroxyapatite and composite systems, the particle synthesis processes, chemistry, and toxicity have to be thoroughly investigated. In this Minireview, we report the recent advances in research regarding nano-hydroxyapatite. Synthesis routes and a wide range of applications of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles will be discussed. The Minireview also addresses several challenges concerning the biosafety of the nanoparticles.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. kfox@unimelb.edu.au
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fox
authors.forename: Phong A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Nhiem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects*; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004337:Drug Carriers; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D017886:Durapatite / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010316:Particle Size; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D004337:Drug Carriers; D017886:Durapatite