Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 16
Synthesis of Layered, Graded Bioscaffolds
Daniel W. Weisgerber, Steven R. Caliari, and Brendan A.C. Harley
16.1
Introduction
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex 3D structure of matrix proteins and
proteoglycans that defines the extrinsic environment surrounding cells. Biomaterials
are often designed to explicitly mimic distinct features of this microenvironment.
Approaches to design “monolithic” biomaterials—uniform 3D structures that pres-
ent a defined combination of structural, compositional and biomolecular cues—have
improved markedly, and are responsible for many fundamental advances in our
understanding of how cells interrogate and respond to their microenvironment. For
example, previous canonical works have established the significance of biomaterial
composition [ 2 , 3 ] and soluble factor supplementation [ 4 - 6 ] as critical regulators of
cell behavior, stem cell fate, and biomaterial regenerative potential. However, with
these advances has also come an increasing understanding that in many cases
monolithic structures are insufficient. Notably, many tissues in the body contain a
degree of heterogeneity or patterning. A critical class of such is found in tissues
containing interfaces. In this chapter we concentrate on the design and development
of two distinct biomaterial composites for orthopedic tissue engineering. First, the
D.W. Weisgerber
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
Urbana, IL, USA
e-mail: weisger3@illinois.edu
S.R. Caliari
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-
Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
e-mail: caliari1@illinois.edu
B.A.C. Harley ( * )
Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Institute for Genomic Biology,
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
e-mail: bharley@illinois.edu
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