2. Microscale Technologies for Controlling Stem Cell Fate

Despite the enormous advances in tissue engineering, several challenges still pre-vent the widespread clinical application of tissue engineering products, such as how to acquire adequate number of cells, how to engineer complex vascularized tissues that mimic the complexity of native tissue architecture and functions. The merger of biomaterials and microscale technologies offer new opportunities to overcome the challenges in tissue engineering to fabricate scaffolds and direct stem cell differentiation. In this review, various applications of microscale tech-nologies have been illustrated in controlling stem cell fate and building complex artificial tissue with well-controlled and vascularized structures. It is envisioned that with the rapid growth of this burgeoning research field, microscale tech-nologies will transform the conventional tissue engineering approaches and greatly contribute to the therapeutic potential of tissue engineering