Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Convection
Capillaries
O2
Cytoplasm
DNA
CO2
Cell-cell
contact
Long distance delivery
1-10 nm (receptor-ligand interaction)
10-20 microns (cell)
100-200 microns (functional subunit)
1 meter
FIGURE 6.2
A cell and its communication with other body parts.
Modified from [11].
of cell metabolites. For this reason, many scientific fields such as bioengineering, biochemi-
cal engineering, and biomaterial sciences are needed for the implementation of cell thera-
pies. A significant challenge in tissue engineering is isolating and growing sufficient
numbers of cells for device/therapy designs for clinical and commercial programs. As a
historical example, it should be noted that the discovery of penicillin alone was not enough
to affect the delivery of health care. Methods for the mass production of clinical grade mate-
rial had to be developed. The development of such large-scale production of antibiotics
arguably represents the most significant contribution of engineering to the delivery of
health care. In a similar fashion, the development of industrial-scale methods for isolation,
expansion, and cryopreservation of human cells will enable routine uses for cell therapies.
In order for tissue engineering to have a tangible impact on modern medicine, the therapies
that are developed must be both scientifically and commercially viable.
