Update on the main use of biomaterials and techniques associated with tissue engineering

Regenerative medicine involves the study of cells, signaling cues and biomatrices to restore normal function of tissues and organs. To develop the matrices for use in tissue engineering there are three main groups of biomaterials: (i) naturally derived materials; (ii) synthetic polymers; and (iii) decellularized organ or tissue scaffolds. These biomaterials, in various forms such as hydrogels, nanofibers and 3D scaffolds, among others, have been employed for different tissue regeneration purposes, with several techniques involved in their production, including rapid prototyping, tissue decellularization and electrospinning. In this review, the main topics of hydrogels, 3D printing and electrospun scaffolds, other biomaterials and decellularization and recellularization will be discussed.