A new Tofu-based biomaterial which could help combat periodontal disease and mend bones is being developed. It is hoped that surgeons will be able to use it as a means of combating periodontal disease as it allows for regeneration of the bones around weakened teeth and other dental implants.

Dr Matteo Santin with the new biomaterial

The idea is the brainchild of Dr Matteo Santin – a senior lecturer at the University of Brighton's School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Studies – who has worked in the field of biomaterials since 1991.

He claims that the de-fatted soybean curds, which are derived from inexpensive natural products actively encourage the formation of new bone growth, have a low potential for immunogenicity and are completely biodegradable.

“Our new generation biomaterial gives dental implants a much greater chance of success. Easy for dentists to use, it will be suitable for anyone who has lost a tooth, making implants available to many more people. The innovation is that it accelerates the growth of the patient's own bone, rather than using an artificial substitute which the body could react against.

“Crucially it also combats inflammation. We're keen to develop a gel or a paste which dentists will be able to use in any mouth, irrespective of the severity of the bone defect,” he explained.

As well as its use as a bone filler, the biomaterial also has the potential to be used in other applications, such as wound dressings. The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) is investing £149,000 in the project through its Invention and Innovation programme. Dr Santin is joined by Dr Jonathan Wilkinson, of technology transfer organisation WessexBio as well as a team of materials experts from the University of Naples. The team will work with specialist medical staff to produce specific formulations for surgical applications and further substantiate the performance of the Tofu-based biomaterial. NESTA is a non-departmental public body investing in innovators and working to improve the climate for creativity in the UK.

Mark White, Director of Invention and Innovation at NESTA, said that the Tofu-based biomaterial was cheap and simple to manufacture, and was the first to integrate quickly with a patient's own tissues, and encourage re-growth of the surrounding tissue.