Student Izabelle de Mello Gindri, a scholarship recipient from the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (Capes), is the creator of a technology patent developed during her doctoral studies.
Izabelle earned her degree at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) through the Science Without Borders program and published five articles as the lead author in relevant journals.
The work she developed abroad aimed at the development of organic compounds, called ionic liquids, with multifunctionalities to protect the surface of dental implants and improve the performance of these devices.
“Currently, it is estimated that 5% to 10% of dental implants fail, and among the main causative agents are bacterial biofilm, corrosion of the metallic surface, and injury during insertion, due to the friction between the metallic surface and the bone tissue. These agents have been associated with inflammatory processes that can lead to bone loss and consequently implant failure,” explains the researcher.
According to Izabelle, the compounds proposed in the project were rationalized to have multi-functionalities. “Thus, it is possible to inhibit bacterial growth around the implant, allow cellular and bone migration, and also protect the surface against corrosion, as well as friction during insertion, due to its lubricating property,” she details.
Experiences
The experience abroad was fundamental for the development of the work, argues the scholarship holder. “My advisor in the United States, Professor Danieli Rodrigues, provided me with training in various high-tech techniques and equipment. In addition, I had her encouragement to attend conferences, where I had the opportunity to connect with the best professionals in the field of biomaterials and also to learn about the research of other groups,” recalls the researcher.
Izabelle worked in partnership with other colleagues, with industry professionals, and with the regulatory body for the quality of biomaterials in the United States, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).
Due to the innovation of the technology developed in the doctoral project, the compounds proposed in the thesis and the application of ionic liquid technology as a surface treatment for biomaterials led to a patent application.
“This process was very interesting because I learned about the bureaucratic issues that enable the protection of intellectual property. The great attention to intellectual property protection reflects an interesting policy in the academic environment in the United States, where research is largely conducted to meet the needs of industry, which leads to the production of knowledge that is often converted into technology,” she explains.
In 2015, Izabelle received the Jonsson Family Graduate Fellowship in Bioengineering for her outstanding academic performance at UTD.
Return
The scholarship holder emphasizes that studying in another country has two fundamental aspects: the professional and the personal. With the completion of her doctorate, Izabelle believes that the project developed has potential applications in the Brazilian industry.
“Today Brazil has a large number of dental and orthopedic prosthesis industries. Although these materials perform well in vivo, there are aspects that can be improved, and the research I developed can contribute in the near future,” she plans.
Source: Ministry of Education (MEC)