Current Research

Calcium Phosphate Cements loaded with Pantoprazole as novel bone substitutes (June 2008).

Current focus on the preparation and characterization of bone substitutes (mainly calcium phosphate derivates). Analyses conducted include surface characterization, dissolution in different pHs, histomorphometry (histology and MicroCT)

Calcium phosphate cements, which are produced by the mixing of calcium phosphate powders in an aqueous solution at room temperature resulting in a low-temperature synthesized hydroxyapatite with low crystallinity and high surface area, have been used as bone substitutes and drug delivery systems. My thesis work examined the possibility of a machine-based modification to this process to derive a standardized preparation method of calcium phosphate cements that could be loaded with a proton pump inhibitor, Pantoprazole. To examine the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of these novel cements, the following analyses of hand- and machine-made cements, with and without Pantoprazole were undertaken: in vitro surface characterization, dissolution, hydroxyapatite conversion, Pantoprazole delivery kinetics, as well as in vivo reparative bone formation and particulate resorption. The in vitro surface characterization, dissolution, drug release, and the in vivo implantation analyses showed insignificant differences between hand- and machine-prepared cements. However, machine-made cements with Pantoprazole showed increased hydroxyapatite conversion, decreased dissolution and better in vivo outcomes than commercially available bone-substitute particulate biomaterials.

Background

• Bachelor in Dentistry (Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil - 1999-2003).
• Management of a private Dental Office which provided general dental care for a local community. Specialties offered included: Oral surgery, Periodontics, Restorative Dentistry, Preventive Dentistry, Endodontics, Prosthodontics, Orthodontics, and Implant Dentistry.
• Conducted research on the development of an inclusion compound for the local and sustained delivery of drugs in Periodontology.

Awards and Scholarships

• University of Toronto Scholarship (2006-2008).
• Ontario Research and Development Challenge Fund - ORDCF (2006-2008).
• Canadian Biomaterials Society best podium presentation (London - 2007).
• Undergraduate Research Scholarship from the Brazilian National Research Council (2001-2003).

Work presented in scientific Meetings

• ARAUJO MVF, DAVIES JE. Calcium Phosphate Cements Loaded With Proton Pump Inhibitors as Novel Bone Substitute Biomaterials. American Society for Biomaterials Conference, 2007,April 18-21, Chicago-IL, United States of America.
• ARAUJO MVF, DAVIES JE. Calcium Phosphate Cements Loaded With Proton Pump Inhibitors as Novel Bone Substitute Biomaterials. 26th Canadian Biomaterials Society Conference, 2007,May 25-27. The University of Western Ontario, London-ON, Canada. Proceedings book, p.131.
• ARAUJO MVF, DAVIES JE. Incorporation of Pantoprazole or Tetracycline into Calcium Phosphate Cements inhibits osteoclastic resorption. Faculty of Dentistry Research Day, University of Toronto, 2007, February 13th, Toronto-ON, Canada. Faculty of Dentistry Book of Abstracts, p.15.

Personal Interests

• Sports: Soccer, Volleyball, and Chess.
• Music: 70's Heavy Metal (Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple), U2, Counting Crows Brazilian Popular Music (Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, Djavan)
• Traveling and food.