Bed of nails: bioinspired nano-texturing towards antibacterial and bioactivity functions

Abstract

Bacterial infection and poor implant integration are leading causes of implant failure, especially in compromised patients and conditions. Bioinspired nanotopographies fabricated on implants and biomaterials, including nanopillars, nanospikes and nanoneedles, have shown promising outcomes in imparting active bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties, as a viable alternative to local/systemic drug administration. Such nanostructures act as a ‘bed of nails' for bacteria; however, it is crucial to consider the antibacterial functions of such nano-engineered implants in the context of their biocompatibility and bioactivity with recipient host tissues. This review compares and contrasts the antibacterial and bioactivity performance of bioinspired nanotextured implants (mimicking dragon fly wings, gecko skin, and others), and will inform the reader of the latest developments, current challenges and future direction for the advanced biomimetic nano-engineered implants.

Keywords

• Nanopillars
• Implants
• Bactericidal
• Infection