Define morphogens
Inductive signals (e.g. growth factors) which initiate/govern tissue morphogenesis
Define stem cells
Primordial progenitors
Have enormous potential
What are biomaterial scaffolds?
They mimic ECM
What are major prostheses used for?
Requirements for biomaterials
- bioactive/biodegradable
What happens if a biomaterial is not bioinert/biostable?
Toxic -> inflammation when implanted -> repair -> restimulation of inflammation -> resorption + cell necrosis + de-differentiation
How do biomaterials become bioactive/biodegradable?
Limitations of transplantation
Donor shortage Immunological rejection Ethical issues Not available for all tissues/organs Transmissible infective agents in animals and humans
What is the difference between tissue engineering and tissue regeneration?
Tissue Engineering = in vitro (outside)
Tissue Regeneration = in vivo (inside the organism)
What are the 3 aims of tissue engineering?
To repair, replace and regenerate tissues
What do we mean by tissue repair?
Manipulate
Deliver cells/materials
What do we mean by replacing tissues?
Transplantation
What do we mean by tissue regeneration?
Stimulating new growth
What are the principle steps of tissue engineering?
1 - cell isolation from a source 2 - cultivate in 2D 3 - seeding in 3D porous scaffold 4 - tissue organization 5 - engineered tissue transplantation
What are the pros of using isolated cells or cell substitutes?
What are the cons of using isolated cells or cell substitutes?
What are the pros of tissue inducing substances?
What are the pros of cell seeded on or in scaffolds?
What is a tissue engineered biological substitute comprised of?
What are some issues with cells?
What do we need to consider when choosing a cell type?
Availability of cells:
Cell Phenotype
Cell capacity to redifferentiate and produce ECM
How is cell signalling a challenge?
How can scaffolds control cell signalling?
Can be engineering to be a source of signaling molecules promoting cell differentiation
What are some features of intelligent scaffolds?