1. Biomaterials for hard tissue repairing with superior interface adaptablility

   a) The interface fingerprint patterns and their corresponding structure-performance relationships in medical materials.

   Oral hard tissue repair materials/implants face a critical issue in clinical applications due to their poor interface adaptability with natural hard tissues, leading to long-term service failures such as secondary caries, inflammation, and detachment. We will employ mid-infrared femtosecond laser to selectively ablate the collagen and hydroxyapatite (HAP) components of oral hard tissues, accurately mapping the fingerprint patterns at the interface of oral hard tissues. Based on the specific application requirements of the repair materials, we will cut and selectively design the retention ratios and patterns of collagen and HAP on the interface, achieving long-term adaptability with natural oral hard tissues. This approach explores the "structure-function" relationship of oral medical materials at the mechanism level.
   

b) Biomaterials based on cell membrane systems for surface modification of implants.


Traditional bone/tooth implants are prone to postoperative foreign body reactions, bacterial invasion, inflammation, and infection due to the lack of appropriate surface functionality, ultimately leading to implant failure. In our work, we utilize natural cell membrane materials with suitable interface biocompatibility, using polyphenols as a bridge to impart natural biological functionality to the implant surfaces. (Representative paper: Chemistry of Materials, 2021, 33(20): 7994-8006.)




2. Construction of a self-replenishing lubrication material system based on zwitterionic and polysaccharide materials and its therapeutic application in osteoarthritis.

Articular cartilage possesses excellent lubrication and wear resistance while providing essential mechanical properties for the synthesis and maintenance of the cartilage matrix. However, cartilage tissue is susceptible to damage, and its intrinsic repair and regenerative capacity is quite limited. This directly impairs the lubrication function during joint movement, leading to increased friction and wear during motion, which can trigger degenerative joint diseases like osteoarthritis.

Numerous clinical treatment results have shown that severe joint injuries cannot be controlled by merely restoring the lubrication properties of the cartilage. Therefore, early intervention to prevent cartilage degeneration is essential for treating osteoarthritis. We propose to design and develop a series of intelligent, responsive materials that maintain long-term high lubrication and possess the ability to self-replenish, clear reactive oxygen species, and provide anti-inflammatory effects. These materials are intended for sustaining long-lasting lubrication of cartilage, restoring joint homeostasis, and ultimately treating osteoarthritis.

3. Epidermal wound dressing

Focusing on the clinical challenges of epidermal wound treatment and the pathological microenvironment at different stages of healing, we aim to design polymer-based artificial nano-catalytic materials. We will integrate emerging therapeutic strategies such as chemotherapy, photothermal therapy, photodynamic therapy, and gas therapy to create multifunctional dressings. These dressings will enable early diagnosis and later-stage repair of wounds, addressing the complex needs of epidermal wound healing.

4.  Materials for tissue barriers

Peri-device infections significantly reduce the service life of interventional devices and severely diminish patients' quality of life. Bacteria play a crucial role as inducers of infections around open-environment devices. Current clinical methods often struggle to effectively eradicate bacteria and prevent the recurrence of percutaneous device-related infections. The key scientific challenge in preventing and treating these infections lies in regulating the complex interfaces formed by biofilms (bacterial plaques), soft tissues (soft interfaces), and interventional devices (hard interfaces).

Drawing inspiration from the closely attached structure and bacterial defense mechanisms in the gingival sulcus, this research direction aims to create a novel material system that can seal both the soft and hard interfaces around interventional devices and safely eliminate biofilms. This endeavor provides a theoretical foundation and technical support for the development of new material systems to prevent and treat diseases related to percutaneous device infections.