Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 23
CHITIN AND CHITOSAN FOR TISSUE
ENGINEERING APPLICATION
Sang Jun Park and Chun-Ho Kim *
Laboratory of Tissue Engineering, Korea Institute of Radiological &
Medical Sciences 215-4, Gongneung, Nowon, Seoul 139-706, Korea
*chkim@kcch.re.kr
Many researchers have developed various artificial tissue, includ-
ingskin,cartilage,bone,liver,andnerve,intissueengineering.Chi-
tosan, a polysaccharide abundant in nature, has great potential as
ascaffoldandcelldeliveryvehiclebyitsbiodegradability,intrinsic
antibacterialnature,minimalforeignbodyreaction,andnontoxic-
ity. The scaffolds' size and shape, pore morphology, and mechani-
cal property can be controlled forcells and application sites in the
body. Chitosan has the ability to be prepared in various geome-
triesandforms,suchasporoussponges,beads,andthermo-gelling
hydrogels,suitableforcellingrowthsandphenotype.Inthischap-
ter, the application and fabrication of porous chitosan sponges,
beads, and thermo-gelling hydrogels are introduced.
23.1 Introduction
The goal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine is the
restoration or replacement of lost or damaged tissue or organs of
the human body with transplantation of engineered tissue. 1 The
 
 
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