In February, professor habil. Dr. Aivaras Kareiva of the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences (Vilnius university) started his research visit at Kyushu university - a Japanese national university located in Fukuoka, on the island of Kyushu. During his stay, together with Vilnius university research team and scientists from Japan he plans to work on developing a new generation bone implant that will boast of ideal biocompatibility and antibacterial properties.

At present, infections often occur in the place of implant both in the field of odontology and orthopedics – the surrounding tissue swells up and becomes inflamed. If not treated appropriately, it may result in bone loss, there is always a risk of implant rejection (failure).

The infection is mostly caused by bacteria that get into the implant during the surgery or immediately after it. Hence, if an antibacterial implant could be created, the probability of infection would be greatly minimized or even eliminated. However, application of an antibacterial substance is not enough; it is necessary to develop a material that is biocompatible with a human body. In addition, it has to be permeable to sustain metabolism processes taking place in the organism. The professor explained that the aim of the research group is to create new materials for bioceramic bone implants and to test their biocompatibility. The outcome of the research visit that will last for a year should be the development of a new generation technology that will reduce the probability of inflammation and implant rejection and revolutionize the fields of orthopedics and odontology.

Prof. A.Kareiva is delighted with his long-term cooperation with Japanese scientists who distinguish themselves as highly responsible researchers of high culture, who possess profound knowledge in the field and who apply the most advanced technology in their work.

Prof. A. Kareiva plans that during his visit his colleagues from the Faculty of Chemistry and Geosciences, associate professor Ramūnas Skaudžius and Dr. Inga Grigoravičiūtė- Puronienė, will join the research team in the laboratory in Japan. It is likely that Andrius Laurikėnas, who is finishing work on his doctoral thesis, will also come to Japan to do postdoctoral research. Prof. A.Kareiva hopes that the cooperation of Vilnius university scientists and researchers from Kyushu university will last much longer than a year.