Emerging Materials and Nanotechnology

Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering

Biomaterials serve as an integral component of tissue engineering. They are designed to provide architectural framework reminiscent of native extracellular matrix in order to encourage cell growth and eventual tissue regeneration. Bone and cartilage represent two distinct tissues with varying compositional and mechanical properties. Despite these differences, both meet at the osteochondral interface Polymeric biomaterials are one of the cornerstones of tissue engineering. A wide range of materials has been used. Approaches have shown increasing sophistication over recent years employing drug delivery functionality, micro patterning, microfluidics, and other technologies.