Tissue Engineering: Beyond the Basics

Tissue engineering refers to the use of science and technology to improve or replace biological tissues. It is used in medicine for the repair or replacement of bone, cartilage, skin, muscle, etc. It involves the development of new viable tissue with the aid of a tissue scaffold. Innovations in stem cells, their growth and differentiation, and biomaterial and biomimetic environments have allowed the fabrication of tissues in the laboratory using combinations of cells, biologically active molecules and engineered extracellular matrices. The goal of tissue engineering is the development of human replacements parts, with functional and biomechanical stability, and complex functionality. This book is a valuable compilation of topics, ranging from the basic to the most complex advancements in the field of tissue engineering. It presents the complex subject of tissue engineering in the most comprehensible and easy to understand language. It is an essential guide for both academicians and those who wish to pursue this discipline further.