This special issue of the Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology presents much of the research described at the recent 2nd International Tissue Engineering Conference held in Crete in May 2005. The conference brought together over 150 researchers from around the world to examine the emerging and most advanced aspects of their particular field. The chapters reflect a diverse group of authors, including both clinicians and academicians.

Increasingly viewed as the future of medicine, the field of tissue engineering is still in its infancy. As evidenced in both the scientific and popular press, there exists considerable excitement surrounding the strategy of regenerative medicine. To achieve its highest potential, a series of technological advances must be made. Putting the numerous breakthroughs made in this field into a broad context, Tissue Engineering disseminates current thinking on the development of engineered tissues. Divided into three sections, the book covers the fundamentals of tissue engineering, enabling technologies, and tissue engineering applications. It examines the properties of stem cells, primary cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix as well as their impact on the development of tissue engineered devices. Contributions focus on those strategies typically incorporated into tissue engineered devices or utilized in their development, including scaffolds, nanocomposites, bioreactors, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy techniques. Finally, the book presents synthetic tissues and organs that are currently under development for regenerative medicine applications. The ability to engineer biocompatible tissue is the hallmark of modern biomedical engineering, integrating all aspects of every sub-discipline in the field. Featuring chapters drawn from the third edition of the best-selling Handbook of Biomedical Engineering as well as new contributions not found in the handbook, Tissue Engineering surveys the latest advances in this relatively young area. The contributing authors are a diverse group with backgrounds in academia, clinical medicine, and industry. Furthermore, the text includes contributions from Europe, Asia, and North America, helping to broaden the views on the development and application of tissue engineered devices.

Increasingly viewed as the future of medicine, the field of tissue engineering is still in its infancy. As evidenced in both the scientific and popular press, there exists considerable excitement surrounding the strategy of regenerative medicine. To achieve its highest potential, a series of technological advances must be made. Putting the numerous breakthroughs made in this field into a broad context, Tissue Engineering disseminates current thinking on the development of engineered tissues. Divided into three sections, the book covers the fundamentals of tissue engineering, enabling technologies, and tissue engineering applications. It examines the properties of stem cells, primary cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix as well as their impact on the development of tissue engineered devices. Contributions focus on those strategies typically incorporated into tissue engineered devices or utilized in their development, including scaffolds, nanocomposites, bioreactors, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy techniques. Finally, the book presents synthetic tissues and organs that are currently under development for regenerative medicine applications. The ability to engineer biocompatible tissue is the hallmark of modern biomedical engineering, integrating all aspects of every sub-discipline in the field. Featuring chapters drawn from the third edition of the best-selling Handbook of Biomedical Engineering as well as new contributions not found in the handbook, Tissue Engineering surveys the latest advances in this relatively young area. The contributing authors are a diverse group with backgrounds in academia, clinical medicine, and industry. Furthermore, the text includes contributions from Europe, Asia, and North America, helping to broaden the views on the development and application of tissue engineered devices.

Tissue engineering research continues to captivate the interest of researchers and the general public alike. Popular media outlets like The New York Times, Time, and Wired continue to engage a wide audience and foster excitement for the field as regenerative medicine inches toward becoming a clinical reality. Putting the numerous advances in the field into a broad context, Tissue Engineering: Principles and Practices explores current thoughts on the development of engineered tissues. With contributions from experts and pioneers, this book begins with coverage of the fundamentals, details the supporting technology, and then elucidates their applications in tissue engineering. It explores strategic directions, nanobiomaterials, biomimetics, gene therapy, cell engineering, and more. The chapters then explore the applications of these technologies in areas such as bone engineering, cartilage tissue, dental tissue, vascular engineering, and neural engineering. A comprehensive overview of major research topics in tissue engineering, the book: Examines the properties of stem cells, primary cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix as well as their impact on the development of tissue-engineered devices Focuses upon those strategies typically incorporated into tissue-engineered devices or utilized in their development, including scaffolds, nanocomposites, bioreactors, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy techniques Presents synthetic tissues and organs that are currently under development for regenerative medicine applications The contributing authors are a diverse group with backgrounds in academia, clinical medicine, and industry. Furthermore, this book includes contributions from Europe, Asia, and North America, helping to broaden the views on the development and application of tissue-engineered devices. The book provides a useful reference for courses devoted to tissue engineering fundamentals and those laboratories developing tissue-engineered devices for regenerative medicine therapy.

3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Second Edition provides an in-depth introduction to bioprinting and nanotechnology and their industrial applications. Sections cover 4D Printing Smart Multi-responsive Structure, Cells for Bioprinting, 4D Printing Biomaterials, 3D/4D printing functional biomedical devices, 3D Printing for Cardiac and Heart Regeneration, Integrating 3D printing with Ultrasound for Musculoskeletal Regeneration, 3D Printing for Liver Regeneration, 3D Printing for Cancer Studies, 4D Printing Soft Bio-robots, Clinical Translation and Future Directions. The book's team of expert contributors have pooled their expertise in order to provide a summary of the suitability, sustainability and limitations of each technique for each specific application. The increasing availability and decreasing costs of nanotechnologies and 3D printing technologies are driving their use to meet medical needs. This book provides an overview of these technologies and their integration.

Tissue engineering research continues to captivate the interest of researchers and the general public alike. Popular media outlets like The New York Times, Time, and Wired continue to engage a wide audience and foster excitement for the field as regenerative medicine inches toward becoming a clinical reality. Putting the numerous advances in the field into a broad context, Tissue Engineering: Principles and Practices explores current thoughts on the development of engineered tissues. With contributions from experts and pioneers, this book begins with coverage of the fundamentals, details the supporting technology, and then elucidates their applications in tissue engineering. It explores strategic directions, nanobiomaterials, biomimetics, gene therapy, cell engineering, and more. The chapters then explore the applications of these technologies in areas such as bone engineering, cartilage tissue, dental tissue, vascular engineering, and neural engineering. A comprehensive overview of major research topics in tissue engineering, the book: Examines the properties of stem cells, primary cells, growth factors, and extracellular matrix as well as their impact on the development of tissue-engineered devices Focuses upon those strategies typically incorporated into tissue-engineered devices or utilized in their development, including scaffolds, nanocomposites, bioreactors, drug delivery systems, and gene therapy techniques Presents synthetic tissues and organs that are currently under development for regenerative medicine applications The contributing authors are a diverse group with backgrounds in academia, clinical medicine, and industry. Furthermore, this book includes contributions from Europe, Asia, and North America, helping to broaden the views on the development and application of tissue-engineered devices. The book provides a useful reference for courses devoted to tissue engineering fundamentals and those laboratories developing tissue-engineered devices for regenerative medicine therapy.

3D Bioprinting and Nanotechnology in Tissue Engineering provides an in depth introduction to these two technologies and their industrial applications. Stem cells in tissue regeneration are covered, along with nanobiomaterials. Commercialization, legal and regulatory considerations are also discussed in order to help you translate nanotechnology and 3D printing-based products to the marketplace and the clinic. Dr. Zhang's and Dr. Fishers' team of expert contributors have pooled their expertise in order to provide a summary of the suitability, sustainability and limitations of each technique for each specific application. The increasing availability and decreasing costs of nanotechnologies and 3D printing technologies are driving their use to meet medical needs, and this book provides an overview of these technologies and their integration. It shows how nanotechnology can increase the clinical efficiency of prosthesis or artificial tissues made by bioprinting or biofabrication. Students and professionals will receive a balanced assessment of relevant technology with theoretical foundation, while still learning about the newest printing techniques.