The design of smart biodegradable scaffolds plays a crucial role in the regeneration of tissues and restoration of their functionality. Advances in material science and manufacturing and in the understanding on the effects of bio-chemical and bio-physical signals on cell behavior, are leading to a new generation of 3D scaffolds. Recent developments in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D-printing, open new exciting challenges in tissue/organ regeneration by means of the fabrication of complex and geometrically precise 3D structures. This thesis aimed the development and characterization of 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration. For this, a nozzle-based rapid prototyping system was used to combine polylactic acid and a bioactive CaP glass (coded G5) to fabricate 3-D biodegradable scaffolds. Firstly, optimization of the printing conditions represents a key challenge for achieving high quality 3D-printed structures. Thus, we stress the importance of studying the outcome of the plasticizing effect of PEG on PLA-based blends used for the fabrication of 3D-printed scaffolds. Results indicated that the presence of PEG not only improves PLA processing but also leads to relevant surface, geometrical and structural changes including modulation of the degradation rate of PLA-based 3D printed scaffolds. Secondly, the obtained scaffolds were fully characterized from the physic-chemical point of view. Morphological and structural examinations showed that 3D scaffolds had completely interconnected porosity, uniform distribution of the glass particles, and a controlled and repetitive architecture. In addition, incorporation of G5 particles increased both roughness and hydrophilicity of the scaffolds. Compressive modulus was dependent on the scaffold geometry and the presence of glass. Cell study revealed that G5 glass improved mesenchymal stem cell adhesion after 4 h. Additional biological characterization in terms of the inflammatory response were also carried out. Novel studies have pointed towards a decisive role of inflammation in triggering tissue repair and regeneration, while at the same time it is accepted that an exacerbated inflammatory response may lead to rejection of an implant. Thus, understanding and having the capacity to regulate the inflammatory response elicited by 3D scaffolds aimed for tissue regeneration is crucial. In this context, cytokine secretion and cell morphology of human monocytes/macrophages in contact with biodegradable 3D-printed scaffolds (PLA, PLA/G5 and chitosan ones) with different surface properties, architecture and controlled pore geometry was reported. Results revealed that even though the material itself induced the biggest differences, scaffold geometry also affected on the secretion of cytokines. These findings strengthen the appropriateness of these 3D platforms to study modulation of macrophage responses by specific parameters (chemistry, topography, scaffold architecture). Finally, novel scaffolds composed by two phases (PLA and PLA/G5), for use in guided bone regeneration (GBR) were evaluated. Structural, morphological changes were observed during the in vitro degradation of both PLA and PLA/G5 structures. Although mechanical properties decreased, PLA/G5 scaffolds still showed higher compressive modulus than PLA ones, confirming the reinforcing effect of glass particles after immersion time. In vivo implantation was carried out subcutaneously in mice up to 30 days. Results showed that PLA scaffolds induced mononuclear cell without activating any relevant angiogenic process, while PLA/G5 induced higher presence of multinucleated giant cells and consequently stimulated the vascularization process and further tissue regeneration. The technique/materials combination used in this PhD thesis led to the fabrication of promising fully degradable, mechanically stable, bioactive and biocompatible composite scaffolds with well-defined architectures valuable for TE applications.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables the fabrication of tissue-engineered constructs and devices from a patient’s own medical data, leading to the creation of anatomically matched and patient-specific constructs. There is a growing interest in applying 3D printing technologies in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The main printing methods include extrusion-based, vat photopolymerization, droplet-based, and powder-based printing. A variety of materials have been used for printing, from metal alloys and ceramics to polymers and elastomers as well as from hydrogels to extracellular matrix proteins. More recently, bioprinting, a subcategory of 3D printing, has enabled the precise assembly of cell-laden biomaterials (i.e., bioinks) for the construction of complex 3D functional living tissues or artificial organs. In this Special Issue, we aim to capture state-of-the-art research papers and the most current review papers focusing on 3D printing for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In particular, we seek novel studies on the development of 3D printing and bioprinting approaches, developing printable materials (inks and bioinks), and utilizing 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. These applications are not limited to but include scaffolds for in vivo tissue regeneration and tissue analogues for in vitro disease modeling and/or drug screening.

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

In order to grow replacement tissues, 3D scaffolds are widely used as a template for tissue engineering and regeneration. These scaffolds, which are typically ‘seeded’ with cells, support the growth of new tissues. However, in order to achieve successful tissue growth, the scaffold must meet specific requirements and are often ‘functionalized’ to accentuate particular properties. Functional 3D tissue engineering scaffolds: materials, technologies, and applications, is a comprehensive review of functional 3D scaffolds, providing information on the fundamentals, technologies, and applications. Part 1 focuses on the fundamentals of 3D tissue scaffolds, examining information on materials, properties, and trends. Part 2 discusses a wide range of conventional technologies for engineering functional 3D scaffolds, leading the way to a discussion on CAD and advanced technologies for functional 3D scaffold engineering. Chapters in part 3 study methods for functionalizing scaffolds to support a variety of in vivo functions whilst the final set of chapters provides an important review of the most significant applications of functional 3D scaffolds within tissue engineering. This book is a valuable resource for biomaterial scientists and biomedical engineers in academia and industry, with interests in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Provides a self-contained work for the field of biomaterials and tissue engineering Discusses all the requirements a scaffold must meet and a wide range of strategies to create them Highlights significant and successful applications of functional 3D scaffolds

This book addresses important biomaterials which are commonly used to fabricate scaffolds and it describes two major protocols employed in scaffold fabrication. Tissue engineering or regenerative medicine aims at restoring ex-novo tissues and organs whose functionality has been compromised as a consequence of diseases or traumatic events. The innovative concept underlying tissue engineering is the use of autologous cells, obtained from a biopsy of the patient. Cells are seeded on a porous scaffold which has the role of supporting and guiding cells towards the development of tissue-like structures as well as providing a platform for the delivery under controlled condition of growth factor release, etc. The successful manufacture of scaffolds for tissue engineering applications is crucial. In this book, these biomaterials are discussed. The book also covers illustrated examples, structure and properties of scaffolds, cellular interactions and drug delivery.

Polymer composite materials are of prime importance and play a vital role in numerous applications. 3D printed polymer composites have been adopted by the aerospace, medical, and automobile industries. However, many challenges and opportunities for the development and application of 3D printed polymer composites have yet to be covered. Development, Properties, and Industrial Applications of 3D Printed Polymer Composites concentrates on cutting-edge technologies and materials as well as processing methods and industrial applications. It further discusses case studies, process issues, challenges, and more. Covering topics such as additive manufacturing, medical engineering, and fused deposition modeling, this premier reference source is essential for manufacturers, engineers, business leaders and executives, hospital administrators, students and faculty of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

Application of additive manufacturing and tissue engineering in the fields of science and technology enables the manufacturing of biocompatible, customized, reliable, and cost-effective parts, restoring the functionality of a failed human body part. This book offers a platform for recent breakthroughs in additive manufacturing related to biomedical applications. This book highlights some of the top innovations and advances in additive manufacturing and processing technologies that are the future of the manufacturing industry while also presenting current challenges and opportunities regarding the choice of material. This book includes areas of applications such as surgical guides, tissue regeneration, artificial scaffolds, implants, and drug delivery and release. Throughout the book, an emphasis is placed on rapid tooling for engineering applications. Additive Manufacturing of Polymers for Tissue Engineering: Fundamentals, Applications, and Future Advancements acts as a first-hand source of information for academic scholars and commercial manufacturers as they make strategic manufacturing and development plans.