Principles of Tissue Engineering
Tissue engineering (TE) provides opportunities to create functional constructs for tissue repair and the study of stem cell behavior, and also provides models for studying various diseases. In order to produce an engineered tissue, a three dimensional environment in the form of a porous scaffold is required. The construct also requires appropriate cells and growth factors, forming the TE "triad" The cell synthesizes new tissue, while the scaffold provides the appropriate environment for cells to proliferate and function. Growth factors facilitate and promote cells to regenerate new tissue. It is important to tailor the components of the TE triad for specific tissue applications. Each component is individually important, and understanding their interactions is key for successful TE.