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The Impact of Biomaterials Research on Tissue Engineering
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 April 2013
Extract
The three most important components of tissue engineering are biomaterials, cellular biology, and vascular supply. Biomaterials are needed to control the delivery of new cells into the body. In the absence of biomaterials, cells that are injected into a vein, a cavity, or tissue tend to disperse, so a sufficiently high density of cells to perform the intended function—replacement or repair of a damaged structure—is never achieved.1 A porous delivery system is needed that confines the cells to the desired location and promotes their nourishment until blood vessels grow in and new tissue is formed. Biomaterials such as plastics can provide such a porous delivery system.
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- Copyright © Materials Research Society 2001
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