This book addresses the principles, methods and applications of biodegradable polymer based scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The general principle of bone tissue engineering is reviewed and the traditional and novel scaffolding materials, their properties and scaffold fabrication techniques are explored. By acting as temporary synthetic extracellular matrices for cell accommodation, proliferation, and differentiation, scaffolds play a pivotal role in tissue engineering. This book does not only provide the comprehensive summary of the current trends in scaffolding design but also presents the new trends and directions for scaffold development for the ever expanding tissue engineering applications.

Biodegradable, polymer-based systems are playing an increasingly pivotal role in tissue engineering replacement and regeneration. This type of biology-driven materials science is slated to be one of the key research areas of the 21st century. The following aspects are crucial: the development of adequate human cell culture to produce the tissues in adequate polymer scaffold materials; the development of culture technology with which human tissues can be grown ex-vivo in 3D polymer matrices; the development of material technology for producing the degradable, 3D matrices, having mechanical properties similar to natural tissue. In addressing these and similar problems, the book contains chapters on biodegradable polymers, polymeric biomaterials, surface modification for controlling cell-material interactions, scaffold design and processing, biomimetic coatings, biocompatibility evaluation, tissue engineering constructs, cell isolation, characterisation and culture, and controlled release of bioactive agents.

This body of work represents the first volume of a book series covering the field of tissue engineering. Tissue engineering, which refers to a category of therapeutic or diagnostic products and processes which are based upon a combination of living cells and biomaterials, was defined as a field only a few years ago (1988). Tissue engineering is an inherently interdisciplinary field, combining bioengineering, life sciences and clinical sciences. The definition of this area of work as the field of tissue engineering brought together scientists from multiple backgrounds who already were working toward the achievement of similar goals. Why a book series exclusively devoted to tissue engineering? The field of tissue engineering is heterogeneous. The cells involved in tissue engineering can be autologous, allogeneic or xenogeneic. The biomaterials utilized can be either naturally occurring, synthetic or a combination of both. The appli cation of the technology can be either for acute or permanent purposes. An attempt to cover the field of tissue engineering in a single volume, with the degree of detail necessary for individuals with different scientific back grounds and disciplines, would be a difficult task to accomplish, particularly when this field is just emerging and changing rapidly. Therefore, addressing different technologies within the field of tissue engineering, in a comprehen sive manner, is the main mission of this series of volumes. A stellar group of scientists has been brought together to form the editorial board of the series.

Focusing on bone biology, Bone Tissue Engineering integrates basic sciences with tissue engineering. It includes contributions from world-renowned researchers and clinicians who discuss key topics such as different models and approaches to bone tissue engineering, as well as exciting clinical applications for patients. Divided into four sections, t

Abstract: In this study, electrically conducting and biodegradable polymer scaffolds were fabricated and tested on bone cells in vitro and in the mice model. The experiments are discussed in Chapter 2 through Chapter 5. Electric field was found to have a positive effect on bone fracture healing. One of the major challenges for this project was to find the right materials to build scaffolds. The materials had to have electrical conductivity, biocompatibility, and processibility. Chapter 2 discusses block copolymers that were designed and synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. These copolymers consisted of polyaniline, polycaprolactone and polylactic acid. They were found to have good solubility in common organic solvents. Cell toxicity tests demonstrated that the copolymers also had good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Fabricating suitable scaffolds for bone cells was another challenge for this project. Chapter 3 discusses three engineering methods that were used to build scaffolds, including electrospinning, printing, and stamping. Polymer fibers were obtained using the electrospinning method. These fibers were soft, flexible, biocompatible, and suitable for soft-tissue engineering. Two-dimensional sulfonated polyaniline-based scaffolds were built with the printing method and then used in experiments, where bone cells were electrically stimulated. Three-dimensional polymer scaffolds were fabricated with the soft-lithography stamping method. These scaffolds with designed patterns had good mechanical properties and uniform shapes. All of these three types of scaffolds derived from the electrospinning, printing, and stamping methods demonstrated good biocompatibility. To evaluate the effect of an electric field on cell proliferation and differentiation, we carried out cell tests using three cells, including the human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells, mice preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, and mice bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). HOS cells were used to determine suitable electrical stimulating conditions. Chapter 4 discusses the HOS cell growth, the alkaline phosphatase activity, and the mineral deposition that were tested to evaluate the cell proliferation. We found that the best condition was alternate current (AC) with an amplitude of 400 mV and a frequency of 1 kHz. Chapter 5 discusses mice cells, preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 and bone marrow stromal cells that were tested. Both cells showed enhanced cell proliferation and increased alkaline phosphatase activity under electrical stimulation. Furthermore, they showed enhanced mineral deposition, which is a crucial feature of early-stage bone formation. These are important observations, because it is the first time that research has demonstrated that BMSC can differentiate into osteoblast on the biocompatible conducting polymer scaffolds with electrical stimulation. This may have great potential in future biomedical and therapeutic applications, such as facilitating the bone fracture healing process.

Materials for Biomedical Engineering: Hydrogels and Polymer-Based Scaffolds discusses the use of a wide variety of hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds in regenerative medicine, including updates on innovative materials and their properties. Various types of currently investigated scaffolding materials and hydrogels are discussed, as is their future roles and applications, the main techniques for scaffold fabrication, and their characterization procedures. Readers will be able to use this book as a guide for the selection of the best materials for a specific application. Provides a valuable resource of recent scientific progress, highlighting the most well-known applications of hydrogels as bioactive scaffolds in regenerative medicine Includes novel opportunities and ideas for developing or improving technologies in biomaterials, and in related biomedical industries Features at least 50% of references from the last 2-3 years

The articles included in this text highlight the important advances in polymer science that impact tissue engineering. The breadth of polymer science is well represented with the relevance of both polymer chemistry and morphology emphasized in terms of cell and tissue response.