Biomaterials

NIST's research examines the interactions among lab-made materials and biological systems, advancing the development of diagnostics and therapeutics, and improving the performance of biomaterials used in dentistry and regenerative medicine. 

NIST's measurement methods and reference materials accelerate the development of lab-made materials that can help heal wounds or replace missing tissues, or be used to mimic human tissues for diagnostics or research. Our long partnership with the American Dental Association boasts advances such as the tooth-colored composites used to fill cavities and repair chipped teeth and the panoramic dental X-ray. The NIST Tissue Engineering project characterizes scaffolds, the supports used to "grow" replacement tissues, and the interactions between scaffolds and cells. Other work develops sensors that measure biological properties and the interactions of cells and materials. 

NIST also participates in the Multi-Agency Tissue Engineering Science coordination group.