In our rapidly aging society, tendon and ligament injuries pose a tremendous socioeconomic burden with a great impact on mobility and patient quality of life. Understanding tendon/ligament development and maturation, pathogenesis, wound healing, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine approaches will be crucial. In this collection, we aim to showcase tendon and ligament research that spans the gamut of basic science to pre-clinical translation. These topics include but are not limited to tendon/ligament development and maturation, the pathogenesis of tendon and ligament injury, isolation and modification of stem cells and their products for regenerative medicine, identification and delivery of bioactive tenogenic/ligamentogenic molecules, development and characterization of bioactive and/or mechanically robust biomaterials in silico, in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo for tissue engineering, as well as the use of novel multidisciplinary methodologies and technologies including systems biology and synthetic biology approaches for studying tendons and ligaments as well as enhancing their repair and regeneration. With this collection, we aim to expose readers to inter- and multi-disciplinary biological and bioengineering techniques and research, which will stimulate broader discussion and advance our understanding to improve tendon/ligament repair and regeneration.

Tendon Regeneration: Understanding Tissue Physiology and Development to Engineer Functional Substitutes was the first book to highlight the multi-disciplinary nature of this specialized field and the importance of collaboration between medical and engineering laboratories in the development of tissue-oriented products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies.Beginning with a foundation in developmental biology, the book explores physiology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction, providing guidance on biological approaches that enhances tendon regeneration practices. Contributions from scientists, clinicians, and engineers who are the leading figures in their respective field’s present recent findings in tendon stem cells, cell therapies, and scaffold treatments, as well as examples of pre-clinical models for translational therapies and a view of the future of the field.New coverage will include signaling pathways for tendon development, molecular mechanisms of tendinopathy, inflammation contribution to healing and pathology of tendons, tendon aging and degeneration, tendon models, and translational studies for tendon regenerative medicine. Provides an updated overview of tendon biology, disease, and tissue engineering approaches Presents new subjects, namely experimental models and translational chapters not included in the first edition, due to limited literature on tendon regeneration Written by renowned scientists, engineers, and clinicians from around the world

Developmental Biology and Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering: Principles and Applications focuses on the regeneration of orthopedic tissue, drawing upon expertise from developmental biologists specializing in orthopedic tissues and tissue engineers who have used and applied developmental biology approaches. Musculoskeletal tissues have an inherently poor repair capacity, and thus biologically-based treatments that can recapitulate the native tissue properties are desirable. Cell- and tissue-based therapies are gaining ground, but basic principles still need to be addressed to ensure successful development of clinical treatments. Written as a source of information for practitioners and those with a nascent interest, it provides background information and state-of-the-art solutions and technologies. Recent developments in orthopedic tissue engineering have sought to recapitulate developmental processes for tissue repair and regeneration, and such developmental-biology based approaches are also likely to be extremely amenable for use with more primitive stem cells. - Brings the fields of tissue engineering and developmental biology together to explore the potential for regenerative medicine-based research to contribute to enhanced clinical outcomes - Initial chapters provide an outline of the development of the musculoskeletal system in general, and later chapters focus on specific tissues - Addresses the effect of mechanical forces on the musculoskeletal system during development and the relevance of these processes to tissue engineering - Discusses the role of genes in the development of musculoskeletal tissues and their potential use in tissue engineering - Describes how developmental biology is being used to influence and guide tissue engineering approaches for cartilage, bone, disc, and tendon repair

Regenerative medicine for the repair of connective tissues is a fast moving field which generates a lot of interest. Unfortunately the biomaterials and biomechanics for soft tissue repair has been under-represented in the past. Particularly the natural association between cartilage, tendons and ligaments is often not made. Regenerative medicine and biomaterials for the repair of connective tissues addresses this gap in the market by bringing together the natural association of cartilage, tendons and ligaments to provide a review of the different structures, biomechanics and, more importantly, provide a clear discussion of practical techniques and biomaterials which may be used to repair the connective tissues. Part one discusses cartilage repair and regeneration with chapters on such topics as structure, biomechanics and repair of cartilage. Chapters in Part two focus on the repair of tendons on ligaments with particular techniques including cell-based therapies for the repair and regeneration of tendons and ligaments and scaffolds for tendon and ligament tissue engineering. Addresses the natural association between cartilage, tendons and ligaments which is often not made Provides a review of the different structures, biomechanics and practical techniques which are used in the repair of connective tissues Chapters focus on such areas as cartilage repair and regeneration, the repair of tendons and ligaments, investigating techniques including scaffolds and cell-based therapies

Repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues is generating substantial interest within the biomedical community. Consequently, these are the most researched tissues from the regeneration point of view. Regenerative Engineering of Musculoskeletal Tissues and Interfaces presents information on the fundamentals, progress and recent developments related to the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues and interfaces. This comprehensive review looks at individual tissues as well as tissue interfaces. Early chapters cover various fundamentals of biomaterials and scaffolds, types of cells, growth factors, and mechanical forces, moving on to discuss tissue-engineering strategies for bone, tendon, ligament, cartilage, meniscus, and muscle, as well as progress and advances in tissue vascularization and nerve innervation of the individual tissues. Final chapters present information on musculoskeletal tissue interfaces. Comprehensive review of the repair and regeneration of musculoskeletal individual tissues and tissue interfaces Presents recent developments, fundamentals and progress in the field of engineering tissues Reviews progress and advances in tissue vascularization and innervation

Biomechanics of Tendons and Ligaments: Tissue Reconstruction looks at the structure and function of tendons and ligaments. Biological and synthetic biomaterials for their reconstruction and regeneration are reviewed, and their biomechanical performance is discussed. Regeneration tendons and ligaments are soft connective tissues which are essential for the biomechanical function of the skeletal system. These tissues are often prone to injuries which can range from repetition and overuse, to tears and ruptures. Understanding the biomechanical properties of ligaments and tendons is essential for their repair and regeneration. - Contains systematic coverage on how both healthy and injured tendons and ligaments work - Includes coverage of repair and regeneration strategies for tendons and ligaments - Presents an Interdisciplinary analysis on the topic

Tendon Regeneration: Understanding Tissue Physiology and Development to Engineer Functional Substitutes is the first book to highlight the multi-disciplinary nature of this specialized field and the importance of collaboration between medical and engineering laboratories in the development of tissue-oriented products for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies. Beginning with a foundation in developmental biology, the book explores physiology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction, providing guidance on biological approaches that enhances tendon regeneration practices. Contributions from scientists, clinicians, and engineers who are the leading figures in their respective fields present recent findings in tendon stem cells, cell therapies, and scaffold treatments, as well as examples of pre-clinical models for translational therapies and a view of the future of the field. - Provides an overview of tendon biology, disease, and tissue engineering approaches - Presents modern, alternative approaches to developing functional tissue solutions discussed - Includes valuable information for those interested in tissue engineering, tissue regeneration, tissue physiology, and regenerative medicine - Explores physiology, pathology, and surgical reconstruction, building a natural progression that enhances tendon regeneration practices - Covers recent findings in tendon stem cells, cell therapies, and scaffold treatments, as well as examples of pre-clinical models for translational therapies and a view of the future of the field