Tissue engineering has been recognized as offering an alternative technique to whole-organ and tissue transplantation for diseased, failed, or malfunctioned organs. To reconstruct a new tissue via tissue engineering, the following triad components are needed: (1) cells which are harvested and dissociated from the donor tissue; (2) biomaterials as scaffold substrates in which cells are attached and cultured, resulting in implantation at the desired site of the functioning tissue; and (3) growth factors which promote and/or prevent cell adhesion, proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Of these three key components, scaffolds play a critical role in tissue engineering. This timely book focuses on the preparation and characterization of scaffold biomaterials for the application of tissue-engineered scaffolds. More importantly, it serves as an experimental guidebook on the standardization of the fabrication process and characterization of scaffolding technology.

Millions of patients suffer from end-stage organ failure or tissue loss annually, and the only solution might be organ and/or tissue transplantation. To avoid poor biocompatibility–related problems and donor organ shortage, however, around 20 years ago a new, hybridized method combining cells and biomaterials was introduced as an alternative to whole-organ and tissue transplantation for diseased, failing, or malfunctioning organs—regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. This handbook focuses on all aspects of intelligent scaffolds, from basic science to industry to clinical applications. Its 10 parts, illustrated throughout with excellent figures, cover stem cell engineering research, drug delivery systems, nanomaterials and nanodevices, and novel and natural biomaterials. The book can be used by advanced undergraduate- and graduate-level students of stem cell and tissue engineering and researchers in macromolecular science, ceramics, metals for biomaterials, nanotechnology, chemistry, biology, and medicine, especially those interested in tissue engineering, stem cell engineering, and regenerative medicine.

This book provides readers with an integrative overview of the latest research and developments in the broad field of biomedical engineering. Each of the chapters offers a timely review written by leading biomedical engineers and aims at showing how the convergence of scientific and engineering fields with medicine has created a new basis for practically solving problems concerning human health, wellbeing and disease. While some of the latest frontiers of biomedicine, such as neuroscience and regenerative medicine, are becoming increasingly dependent on new ideas and tools from other disciplines, the paradigm shift caused by technological innovations in the fields of information science, nanotechnology, and robotics is opening new opportunities in healthcare, besides dramatically changing the ways we actually practice science. At the same time, a new generation of engineers, fluent in many different scientific “languages,” is creating entirely new fields of research that approach the “old” questions from a new and holistic angle. The book reports on the scientific revolutions in the field of biomedicine by describing the latest technologies and findings developed at the interface between science and engineering. It addresses students, fellows, and faculty and industry investigators searching for new challenges in the broad biomedical engineering fields.

This is the first experimental protocol book that covers the differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) into specific cell types, targeted at the undergraduate and graduate student level. The 19 chapters deal with the differentiation methods using small molecules, cytokines and polymeric scaffolds.BMSCs are pluripotential in that they not only act as myelo-regenerative and supportive cells, but can also differentiate into almost any kind of cells in our body. In addition, when implanted in vivo, they could help repair multiple tissues such as blood vessels, heart, liver and so on.For the differentiation of BMSCs, many methods have been introduced to adjust their microenvironment (chemical and physical cues), including chemical induction methods using large or small molecules and pellet culture; mechanical stimulation induction methods using cyclic mechano-transduction or ultrasonication; cytokine-released method using scaffolds; and so on.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of cartilage structure, functions, and approaches for the regeneration of cartilage tissue. It reviews multiple signaling pathways that are involved in the growth and repair of cartilage tissue. The initial chapter of the book examines the etiology, diagnosis, and pathological features of various cartilage diseases. Subsequently, the book presents recent advances in biomaterial sciences, regenerative medicine, and fabrication technology for cartilage regeneration. It discusses hydrogels as a promising scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering, focusing on recapitulating microenvironments present during development or in adult tissue to induce the formation of cartilaginous constructs with biochemical and mechanical properties of native tissue. Lastly, it covers the applications of 3 D printing techniques for the fabrication of scaffolds for cartilage tissue regeneration for the production of biological implants capable of treating a range of conditions.

Handbook of Tissue Engineering Scaffolds: Volume Two provides a comprehensive and authoritative review on recent advancements in the application and use of composite scaffolds in tissue engineering. Chapters focus on specific tissue/organ (mostly on the structure and anatomy), the materials used for treatment, natural composite scaffolds, synthetic composite scaffolds, fabrication techniques, innovative materials and approaches for scaffolds preparation, host response to the scaffolds, challenges and future perspectives, and more. Bringing all the information together in one major reference, the authors systematically review and summarize recent research findings, thus providing an in-depth understanding of scaffold use in different body systems.

Polymeric Biomaterials for Healthcare Applications details a broad range of polymeric biomaterials, methods of synthesis and preparation, and their various applications in healthcare and biomedicine. The book provides a fundamental overview of polymers and processing technologies to allow clinical scientists to explore the use of these polymers in alternative applications. A wide variety of healthcare applications are covered, including treatment for autoimmune diseases and bacterial infections, tissue engineering, gene delivery, wound dressing, and more. The book provides a core introductory text for clinical and materials scientists new to the area of polymeric biomaterials. This book will prove useful to academics and researchers in materials science, biomedical engineering, clinical science and pharmaceutical science. - Covers a broad range of polymeric biomaterials, including chitosan, alginate, cellulose, collagen, synthetic conjugates, and more - Details a wide variety of healthcare applications for polymeric biomaterials, such as orthopedic engineering, antibiotics, targeted drug delivery, and more - Provides a detailed overview of polymer processing technologies and sterilization considerations