In spite of intensive investments and investigations carried out in the last decade, many aspects of the stem cell physiology, technology and regulation remain to be fully defined. After the enthusiasm that characterized the first decade of the discovery that when given the right cue, stem cells could repair all the different tissues in the body; it is now time to start a serious and coordinated action to define how to govern the stem cell potential and to exploit it for clinical applications. This can be achieved only with shared research programs involving investigators from all over the world and making the results available to all. The Disputationes Workshop series (http://disputationes.info) is an international initiative aimed at disseminating stem cell related cutting edge knowledge among scientists, healthcare workers, students and policy makers. The present book gathers together some of the ideas discussed during the third and fourth Disputationes Workshops held in Florence (Italy) and Aalborg (Denmark), respectively. The aim of this book is to preserve those ideas in order to contribute to the general discussion on organ repair and to bolster a fundamental scientific and technological leap forwards the treatment of otherwise incurable diseases.

In spite of intensive investments and investigations carried out in the last decade, many aspects of the stem cell physiology, technology and regulation remain to be fully defined. After the enthusiasm that characterized the first decade of the discovery that when given the right cue, stem cells could repair all the different tissues in the body; it is now time to start a serious and coordinated action to define how to govern the stem cell potential and to exploit it for clinical applications. This can be achieved only with shared research programs involving investigators from all over the world and making the results available to all.The Disputationes Workshop series (http://disputationes.info) is an international initiative aimed at disseminating stem cell related cutting edge knowledge among scientists, healthcare workers, students and policy makers. The present book gathers together some of the ideas discussed during the third and fourth Disputationes Workshops held in Florence (Italy) and Aalborg (Denmark), respectively. The aim of this book is to preserve those ideas in order to contribute to the general discussion on organ repair and to bolster a fundamental scientific and technological leap forwards the treatment of otherwise incurable diseases.

Frontiers in Tissue Engineering is a carefully edited compilation of state-of-the-art contributions from an international authorship of experts in the diverse subjects that make up tissue engineering. A broad representation of the medical, scientific, industrial and regulatory community is detailed in the book. The work is an authoritative and comprehensive reference source for scientists and clinicians working in this emerging field. The book is divided into three parts: fundamentals and methods of tissue engineering, tissue engineering applied to specialised tissues, and tissue engineering applied to organs. The text offers many novel approaches, including a detailed coverage of cell-tissue interactions at cellular and molecular levels; cell-tissue surface, biochemical, and mechanical environments; biomaterials; engineering design; tissue-organ function; new approaches to tissue-organ regeneration and replacement of function; ethical considerations of tissue engineering; and government regulation of tissue-engineered products.

The opportunity that tissue engineering provides for medicine is extraordinary. In the United States alone, over half-a-trillion dollars are spent each year to care for patients who suffer from tissue loss or dysfunction. Although numerous books and reviews have been written on tissue engineering, none has been as comprehensive in its defining of the field. Principles of Tissue Engineering combines in one volume the prerequisites for a general understanding of tissue growth and development, the tools and theoretical information needed to design tissues and organs, as well as a presentation of applications of tissue engineering to diseases affecting specific organ systems. The first edition of the book, published in 1997, is the definite reference in the field. Since that time, however, the discipline has grown tremendously, and few experts would have been able to predict the explosion in our knowledge of gene expression, cell growth and differentiation, the variety of stem cells, new polymers and materials that are now available, or even the successful introduction of the first tissue-engineered products into the marketplace. There was a need for a new edition, and this need has been met with a product that defines and captures the sense of excitement, understanding and anticipation that has followed from the evolution of this fascinating and important field. Key Features* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research on all of the major systems of the human body, e.g., skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Essential to anyone working in the field* Educates and directs both the novice and advanced researcher* Provides vast, detailed analysis of research with all of the major systems of the human body, e.g. skin, muscle, cardiovascular, hematopoietic, and nerves* Has new chapters written by leaders in the latest areas of research, such as fetal tissue engineering and the universal cell* Considered the definitive reference in the field* List of contributors reads like a "who's who" of tissue engineering, and includes Robert Langer, Joseph Vacanti, Charles Vacanti, Robert Nerem, A. Hari Reddi, Gail Naughton, George Whitesides, Doug Lauffenburger, and Eugene Bell, among others

Tissue Engineering is a comprehensive introduction to the engineering and biological aspects of this critical subject. With contributions from internationally renowned authors, it provides a broad perspective on tissue engineering for students coming to the subject for the first time. In addition to the key topics covered in the previous edition, this update also includes new material on the regulatory authorities, commercial considerations as well as new chapters on microfabrication, materiomics and cell/biomaterial interface. Effectively reviews major foundational topics in tissue engineering in a clear and accessible fashion Includes state of the art experiments presented in break-out boxes, chapter objectives, chapter summaries, and multiple choice questions to aid learning New edition contains material on regulatory authorities and commercial considerations in tissue engineering

Nanotechnology and regenerative engineering have emerged to the forefront as the most versatile and innovative technologies to foster novel therapeutic techniques and strategies of the twenty-first century. The first edition of Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineering: The Scaffold was the first comprehensive source to explain the developments in nano

The profound transformations occurred in our modern age have been made possible by the unique combination of new technologies. Among them, me- cine has completely changed our perception of life. Longevity has been signi- cantly extended and linked to new lifestyles. The negative impact that pathologies and ageing have always had on the quality of our life is now mitigated by the availability of treatments daily applied to many individuals worldwide. For many years, pharmacological and surgical treatments have been supported by the introduction of biomedical devices. Biomedical implants have played a key role in the development of these treatments and achieved the objective of replacing tissue and organ structures and functionalities. Gra- ally, the scientific and clinical communities have understood that replacement could be improved by materials able to interact with the tissues and to parti- pate in their metabolism and functions. This approach soon led to biomedical implants with improved clinical performances, but also to a new aspiration; rather than replacing damaged tissues and organs scientists and clinicians nowadays aim at their partial or complete regeneration. As a consequence of this ambition, the disciplines of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have recently emerged. It is the dawn of a fascinating era where scientists from various disciplines, clinicians, and industry will need to intensify their col- borative efforts to provide our society with new and affordable solutions.