Surgeons are able to make body wall repairs using this biocompatible material developed with the help of chemical engineers. Photo via National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. Courtesy Stephen Badylak, MD, University of Pittsburgh.
Promising research-and-development activities in tissue engineering involve the creation of biological substitutes used to restore, maintain, and improve tissue function. They may even replace entire human organs. Engineered biological substitutes are currently being developed to repair or replace damaged or diseased organs and tissues. Examples include
- Transplantation cells that perform specific biochemical functions, for example, improving pancreas, liver, or bladder functions;
- Replacement tissues, such as artificial skin, bones, cartilage, blood vessels, tendons, and ligaments; and
- Stem cells able to regenerate functional human tissues.
A growing field
The development of suitable human replacement tissues is still in its infancy. One early success is replacement skin, grown over engineered polymer scaffolds, that is used to treat burn victims. Currently, researchers are pursuing viable techniques to enhance and maintain mammalian stem-cell and neuron functions. Biodegradable polymeric fibers are also being designed to act as nerve-guide conduits in the regeneration of nerves. All these imaginative endeavors require the expertise and technical contributions of chemical engineers working in concert with biomedical researchers.
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