Chapter 9: Surface Functionalization of Bioactive Glasses: Reactive Groups, Biomolecules and Drugs on Bioactive Surfaces for Smart and Functional Biomaterials

Bioactive glasses are well known for their in vitro and in vivo surface reactivity, able to induce the formation of a mineralized layer on their surface and, in turn, bone tissue integration. This peculiar property can be successfully used to modify their surface with reactive groups, biomolecules and drugs, to induce specific interactions between the bioactive surface and the biological environment, obtaining smart and functional biomaterials. This chapter gives an overview of the most common functionalization strategies.