Dr. Xin Zhao is an assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR, China. She obtained her PhD at University College London, UK and postdoc training at Harvard University, USA before joining PolyU. She is dedicated to Translational Regenerative Medicine, integrating multi-disciplinary approaches including material science, cell biology and medicine to modulate cell microenvironments, control cell behaviors and generate tissue-engineered organs, for addressing clinical issues. So far she has published >70 articles in leading journals including Chemical Reviews, Materials Today, Advanced Functional Materials, Angewandte Chemie International Edition, Biomaterials. She has successfully attracted over 12 grants (⁓6 million) as principal investigator from Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC), Health and Medical Research Fund (HMRF), National Science Foundation of China (NSFC), private company, etc. Moreover, she has edited a book, authored in 6 book chapters, and holds 3 national patents. She has also chaired sessions or delivered keynote speeches at >20 international conferences, worked as a guest editor for Drug Discovery Today, Molecules, Polymers, and served as reviewer for PNAS, ACS Nano, Biomaterials, etc.
Topic title：Photocrosslinkable materials for bone regeneration
Abstract：In this work, inspired by the gecko feet covered with millions of small hairy setae which could solely interact with the substrate and provide strong overall interaction to bear high load, we present a photocrosslinkable composite materials consisting of tri-block poly (lactide-co-propylene glycol-co-lactide) dimethacrylate (PmLnDMA) and hydroxyethyl methacrylate-functionalized hydroxyapatite (nHAMA). Upon UV exposure, an inorganic-organic co-crosslinked network can be rapidly formed within 120 seconds. Such inorganic-organic co-crosslinked network has brought in a 10-fold increase in the mechanical properties compared to its organic counterpart. The significant improvement in the mechanical performance, comparable to natural cancellous bone, has made the composites highly favorable for various load-bearing applications. In addition, via changing the lactide-to-propylene glycol ratio in the PmLnDMA and the content of nHAMA, we could readily tune the rheological behaviors (for use as injectable materials or for 3D printing), wettability and degradation of the composites. Moreover, due to the low exothermal heat generation during crosslinking, the composites allow for loading and release of bioactive molecules. Together with the superior biological performances in supporting the in vitro and in vivo osteogenesis and angiogenesis, we envision that our composites have great clinical potential in bone tissue engineering.