Medicinal Surface Modification of Silicon Nanowires: Impact on Calcification and Stromal Cell Proliferation

Medicinal surface modification of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with selected bisphosphonates, such as the known antiosteoporotic drug alendronate is described. In terms of specific assays relevant to orthopedic applications the impact of selected bisphosphonate attachment on a cellular calcification in simulated plasma is reported. To further investigate biocompatibility, proliferation assays of these modified nanowires were carried out using an orthopedically relevant cell line; mesenchymal stem cells derived from mouse stroma. It is found that the identity of the bisphosphonate ligand strongly and sensitively impacts its resultant cytotoxicity.