Tissue Science and Regenerative Medicine

The use of nanotechnology in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is increasing day by day because nanostructures can mimic tissue-specific bio environments by designing constructs with particular biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties. A porous scaffold serves as both substrate and support for tissue growth .The main reason for the use of scaffold is biocompatibility hence avoiding inhibition of cell growth and allowing proper regeneration of the tissue. The scaffold must  be fabricated into a three dimensional porous structure for tissue formation, which promotes cell growth and differentiation.

Tissue Culture is a technique in which the tissue or cell grows away from the organisms on a growth medium which facilitates their survival and function in a controlled environment. The cultured tissue may contain a single cell or a cluster of cells. After the growth of cells or desired organ its preservation plays a key role. They may be generally hypothermic preservation or hyper thermic preservations based on the type of tissue/organ Culture

Tremendous demand for the need of tissues and limited availability of the suitable tissues paved way for the development of tissue engineered vascularized grafts. However, there are still no widely accepted guidelines for determining the minimal requirements (structural and functional) for engineered vascularized grafts

Tissue engineering is emerging as a promising strategy for repairing damaged cartilage and bone tissue. Tissue engineering of bone and cartilage has developed from simple to sophisticated materials with defined porosity, surface features, and the ability to deliver biological factors.  A number of biodegradable and bio researchable materials, as well as scaffold designs, have been experimentally and/or clinically are being studied. The therapies are currently used to treat diseases/injuries which are based on the use of pharmaceutical agents, auto/allotransplant and synthetic materials. However, such solutions present a number of inconveniences and therefore, there is a constant search for novel therapeutic solutions. Among various other techniques, scaffolds and hydrogels play a major role in repair of bone and cartilage tissue.

Regenerative medicine deals with the process of replacing, or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function by stimulating the body's own repair mechanisms to functionally heal previously irreparable tissues or organs.  Regenerative medicine also includes the growing of tissues and organs in the laboratory and implanting them when the body cannot heal itself. Some of the  approaches within the field of regenerative medicine may involve the use of stem cells from various sources. 

Biomaterial is any synthetic material which is used to replace part of a living system or to function in contact with the living tissue.. Any material that can be used for these medical applications must possess some specific properties and the most basic criteria are related to biocompatibility. The research has evolved in many ways like its capacity to study the various aspects like molecular biology and cell biology at the implant host tissue interface which further gives a detailed idea about the material biocompatibility. Biomaterials have also been modified in terms of their applicability and are now also being used as carriers to deliver small and large bioactive molecules. These delivery molecules or systems are targeted to a specific tissue for its regeneration.

Regenerative rehabilitation is the combination of regenerative biology with approaches for physical medicine with the ultimate goal of developing innovative and effective methods that promote the restoration of function through tissue regeneration and repair. Rehabilitation coupled with regenerative medicine surgeries has improved the outcomes for tissue regeneration.  Regenerative rehabilitation include the incorporation of physical activity to promote incorporation of stem cells into muscle tissue and the in vitro use of mechanical stimuli on cultured cells or tissues, as a means to optimize the efficacy of cell therapeutics and tissue engineering technologies.  

Bio printing is the utilization of 3D printing and 3D printing–like techniques to combine cells, growth factors, and biomaterials to fabricate tissue-like structures that are later used in medical and tissue engineering fields.  Bioprinting utilizes a wide range of biomaterials.  Currently 3D bio-printing is used for the printing of scaffolds which is used to regenerate joints and ligaments.  Bio imaging is often used to gain information on the 3-D structure of the observed specimen from the outside, i.e. without physical interference.

Thousands of surgical procedures are performed to replace or repair tissue that is been damaged through disease or trauma. Recent approaches in tissue engineering (TE) aims to regenerate damaged tissues by combining cells from the body with highly porus scaffold biomaterials, which act as templates for tissue regeneration, and  guide the growth of new tissue.  A scaffold is  designed such  that it  mimics the extracellular matrix, providing an architecture that guides the natural process.

Bioreactor device uses mechanical means to influence biological processes. Bioreactors are used to aid the in vitro development of new tissue by providing biochemical and physical regulatory signals to cells and encouraging them to undergo differentiation and to produce extracellular matrix prior to in vivo implantation under a closely monitored and tightly controlled environment.

Immunotherapy specifically targets the immune system.  Immunotherapy is done by either stimulating your immune system to work harder or smarter and attack the foreign cells. Immunotherapy can work by boosting the body’s immune system in a general way or by training the immune system to attack the cancer cells specifically.

Stem cells (SCs) are great tools for cell therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.  They have the capacity to self-renew and the ability to differentiate into specialized cell types depending upon their source.  SCs have their major contribution  to the elucidation of basic biochemical and developmental processes

 Applications of Tissue engineering and Regenerative Medicine finds its way majorly in Organ Transplantation and Therapeutic Cloning like Bio Artificial liver device, artificial pancreas, artificial bladders, and Cartilage. When there is  any damage in our body cells or organs tissue engineering techniques are used  to overcome the damage by replacing the old cell. Tissue Engineered products or materials are used widely  to cure diseases