Biomimetic applications in regenerative medicine: Scaffolds, transplantation modules, tissue homing devices and stem cells

Biomimetic approaches to the fabrication of advanced biomaterials and biostructures are used to address the shortcomings of existing scaffold designs that are traditionally biologically un-responsive throughout the regeneration process in situ and lack necessary versatility. Increasing focus is now being placed upon adaptating these advanced biomimetic scaffolds for human stem cells. In this chapter we describe new biomaterial led approaches to immobilization, maintenance, programming and promotion of desirable stem cell responses while regenerating clinically acceptable human tissues. We also describe efforts to enhance survivability of human cell transplantation inside protective devices. Biostructures are being designed into functional scaffolds that can adapt (evolve) to changing in situ environment during regeneration, regulate cell responses at nanostructured surfaces, as modules for self-assembling by the patient's own cells and as smart devices that possess tissue specific homing capabilities. © 2010 by Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved