Nanostructure processing was applied to derive a novel hydroxyapatite-titania bioceramic with ultrafine structure and significantly improved mechanical properties for orthopedic and dental implant applications. Despite its attractive bioactivity, hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been limited in applications due to the poor processability and mechanical strength of the conventional material. To improve the load-sharing and stress distribution we have introduced in situ nanostructured high-strength HAp-TiO2 obtained by microwave-assisted co-precipitation. The nanostructured HAp-TiO2 nanocomposite demonstrated excellent chemical and structural uniformity. This novel inorganic-inorganic hybrid ceramic holds a great promise for bone tissue engineering. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.