|  Tissue
engineering is an emerging interdisciplinary field which
applies the principles of biology and engineering to
the development of viable substitutes which restore,
maintain, or improve the function of human tissues.
This form of therapy differs from standard drug therapy
in that the engineered tissue becomes integrated within
the patient, affording a potentially permanent and specific
cure of the disease state.
A large number of Americans suffer organ and tissue
loss every year from accidents, birth defects, hereditary
disorders, conditions and diseases. Improved understanding
of biological processes holds promise for the development
of new classes of biomaterials, polymers, and diagnostic
and analytical reagents.
Tissue engineering integrates discoveries from biochemistry,
cell and molecular biology, genetics, material science
and biomedical engineering to produce innovative three
dimensional composites having structure/function properties
that can be used to either replace or correct damaged,
missing, or poorly functioning components in living
systems. In addition, this emerging technology can be
used to introduce better functioning components, The
material components themselves may be processed from
naturally occurring materials, processed from synthetic
materials, or a combination of these. Cellular and other
biologic components may be added.
Tissue engineering faces the challenges in:
- Permanent versus biodegradable
- Optimal lifespan of scaffold or product
- Degradation products
- Biocompatibility
- Optimal geometry/architecture/composition
- Surface features (and how to modify them-i.e., biomimetics)
- Role of surface features in biointegration
- Biomechanical characteristics
- Reproducibility
Current faculty research projects related to Tissue
Engineering include:
Chu:
- Synthesis, characterization and processing of biomaterials
- Molecular manipulation and self-assembly in biomimetic
mineralization
- DNA complexation for gene therapy
Entcheva:
- Cardiac tissue engineering - functional characterization
Hadjiargyrou:
- Development of a cell and gene delivery biodegradable
scaffold for the acceleration of bone regeneration
Hsiao:
- Unique biomaterials for controlled drug and gene
delivery to bone, skin, cartilage and heart
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