DYNAMIC CELL CULTURE METHODS FOR FUNCTIONALIZED BIOMATERIALS - Biologically-Responsive Hybrid Biomaterials - page 377

CHAPTER 15

DYNAMIC CELL CULTURE METHODS FOR FUNCTIONALIZED
BIOMATERIALS

Bonnie C. Landy and Vassilios I. Sikavitsas *
School of Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, Bioengineering Center,
University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA
*

E-mail: [e-mail]

1. Introduction

Tissue engineering is a complex and constantly adapting field, necessitating a
multi-disciplinary, inclusive approach to create tissues which can most resemble
those found in the human body. As the process of tissue growth in vivo is
influenced by a multitude of factors, so tissue engineering can incorporate a
variety of strategies. The field stems from the desire to replace or repair damaged
tissues by the combination of cells, a carrier on which cell and tissue growth can
occur, and mechano-chemical stimuli to promote tissue growth in a functional
manner [1]. Once the neotissue is formed, it would be implanted, where it may
integrate and be remodeled to be indistinguishable from the native tissue.
The selection of an appropriate cell type for a functional engineered tissue is
critical because, under the proper culture conditions, those cells will be forming
the extracellular matrix in the neotissue. The structure and properties of the
matrix can depend heavily upon both the cell type and the culture conditions. In
addition, ex vivo cell expansion may be necessary to achieve high cell density in
a cultured construct, requiring cells with a high proliferative capability.
Cells used for tissue engineering applications require a surface on which to
adhere for survival, proliferation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis. This
surface is usually provided by a scaffold, a biocompatible material which can
provide both chemical and mechanical microenvironments to mimic those of a
specific tissue. The properties of the scaffold can greatly influence the function,
proliferation, migration, and differentiation of the cultured cells, which then
translates into the properties of the engineered tissue and the de novo ECM [2]. It

389