Scaffolds in tissue engineering

Abstract

Tissue engineering comprises of an array of specialities which combines biology, chemical sciences, engineering and material sciences for the regeneration of diseased tissues. In the novel world of tissue engineering, the fabrication and role of scaffolds is vital. Scaffolds have been engineered in such a fashion that it causes the desirable cellular interactions for the formation of new tissues for medical purposes. Ideal characteristics of scaffold include; three –dimensional and highly porous, should be biocompatible and bioresorbable, should have suitable surface chemistry for cell attachment, proliferation, and differentiation and must have mechanical properties to match those of the tissues at the site of implantation. A high porosity and an adequate pore size are necessary to facilitate cell seeding and diffusion throughout the whole structure of both cells and nutrients. The ever- evolving world of medical science will now in the near future be able to regenerate the lost tissues with the advancements of tissue engineering.