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I’m motivated by understanding how cells react to small changes in materials. I like to think of biomaterials as silent partners that influence cell behaviour in subtle ways.

I entered the field of bioceramics through my interest in how materials can influence biological behaviour. During my studies in biomedical engineering, I became increasingly fascinated by calcium phosphate systems and their unique similarity to natural bone mineral. This curiosity eventually led me to focus on ceramic-based biomaterials and their interaction with cells.

My recent research has centred on α-tricalcium phosphate bone cements, particularly how their performance can be improved by modifying them with mesoporous bioactive glass (58S MBG)1. These composite cements are exciting because even small changes such as the composition of the powder or the choice of liquid phase can create a big impact on the setting reaction, microstructure, and early mechanical strength2. In my work, I observed that adding bioactive glass not only enhanced ion release and bioactivity but also improved handling characteristics, bringing these materials closer to being injectable and suitable for clinical use.

As I continued working with these systems, I became more interested in the idea of biomimicry and how materials can provide both biochemical signals and biophysical cues. Bone healing is dynamic, so a material that can “communicate” with cells through its stiffness, viscoelasticity, or structure has great potential. This inspired me to explore ways to integrate multiple cues into a single material system and better understand how these cues influence cell attachment, spreading, and early osteogenic behaviour.

What connects the different parts of my research is the same motivation: to understand how materials and cells interact, and how this interaction can be guided in a positive direction. Every experiment, whether it is a cement formulation or a viscoelastic hydrogel, teaches me something new about this communication. I see each project as a step toward smarter, more responsive biomaterials that support predictable bone regeneration.

Working in this field also gives me the chance to collaborate across disciplines such as materials science, chemistry, and cell biology, which is something I truly enjoy. My long-term goal is to contribute to the development of next-generation biomaterials that combine structural reliability with bioactive functionality.

1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2025.115148

2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.04.007

Öznur Demir

Affiliation:
Baltic Biomaterial Centre of Excellence (BBCE), Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Riga Technical University

Country:
Riga, Latvia

E-mail:
oznur.demir@rtu.lv

LinkedIn Profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/%C3%B6znur-demir-81342136/