Zwitterionic ceramics for biomedical applications

Bioceramics for bone tissue regeneration, local drug delivery and nanomedicine, are receiving growing attention by the biomaterials scientific community. The design of bioceramics with improved surface properties able to overcome clinical issues is a great scientific challenge. Zwitterionization of surfaces has arisen as a powerful alternative in the design of biocompatible bioceramics capable to inhibit bacterial and non-specific protein adsorption, which opens up new insights into the biomedical applications of these materials. This manuscript reviews the different approaches reported up to date for the synthesis and characterization of zwitterionic bioceramics with potential clinical applications. Statement of Significance Zwitterionic bioceramics are receiving growing attention by the biomaterials scientific community due to their great potential in bone tissue regeneration, local drug delivery and nanomedicines. Herein, the different strategies developed so far to synthesize and characterize zwitterionic bioceramics with potential clinical applications are summarized. (C) 2016 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.