The challenge of bone tissue engineering (BTE) is to develop bone scaffolds that allow good integration with the surrounding tissues. Systems of particular interest are scaffolds based on calcium phosphates (CaP), mainly hydroxyapatite (HAp), due to its chemical and structural similarity to the inorganic matrix of natural bone and its excellent bioactivity.

Scientists have used growth factors in combination with CaP to enhance bone regeneration, but negative side effects such as ectopic or unwanted bone formation throw the safety of this approach into question.¹