Osteoblast Colonization of Biomimetic Carbon Foam Scaffolds

INTRODUCTION Constructing engineered bone involves the development of biocompatible scaffolds for the support of osteogenic cell populations. A biomimetic scaffold not only facilitates the initial osteogenic cells attachment and differentiation but also improves the host tissue and implant interactions, and events associated with adaptation to in vivo environments. Prefabricating a layer of apatite and adsorbing serum protein are two of the most common approaches to constructing a biomimetic material surface. Carbon foams have excellent biocompatibility and biomechanical properties suitable for bone tissue engineering. However, there are few studies describing carbon foambased biomimetic scaffolds. The purpose of this study is to examine cellular responses to a carbon foam surface modified by phosphate, serum protein, or hydroxyapatite (HA), as well as the changes in scaffold mechanical properties resulting from these modifications.