HYBRID MATERIALS FROM A SILICATE-TREATED COLLAGEN MATRIX, METHODS FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND THE USE THEREOF

摘要

The invention relates to novel hybrid materials from a silicate-treated collagen matrix, where the collagen is recombinant collagen, collagen from eumetazoa, sponge collagen from a sponge of the class Demospongia (horn sponges) or Calcarea (calcareous sponges), a derivative of these collagens or a synthetic collagen analogue, and where the collagen matrix is stiffened and crosslinked by the silicate treatment, and methods for the production thereof, and the use thereof. The hybrid material of the invention from a silicate-treated collagen matrix is biocompatible and can also withstand relatively large mechanical stresses. In particular, the hybrid materials exhibit besides high strength (compressive stress) also a certain elasticity (tensile and flexural stress) so that they do not undergo brittle fracture even under unfavourable stress conditions (leverage forces). The hybrid material of the invention can additionally be modified structurally and materially within wide limits and can thus be employed for producing the most diverse applications with mechanically and biologically adapted properties. The material can be produced in various geometric shapes through the use of the sol-gel technique.