Biomaterials in regenerative medicine: engineering to recapitulate the natural

► The bioactivity of a given soluble regulatory molecule is not necessarily invariant, but may be significantly modulated by the nature of the matrix scaffold to which the target cells are adherent. Therefore, fundamental aspects of cell behaviour are determined by the dynamic and reciprocal interactions between cells and their matrix microenvironment. ► The notion of 'tensegrity architecture' provides a conceptual and mechanistic framework to understand the manner by which cells sense and respond to the physico-chemical nature of their matrix substratum. ► Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF) is a potent, novel motogenic/angiogenic molecule which contributes to the orchestration of foetal development, wound healing and cancer progression. ► Bioreactors are being developed which provide cultured cells with a more physiologically relevant physico-chemical microenvironment than do conventional tissue culture protocols. ► The emerging awareness of the manner by which the matrix scaffold influences cell response to soluble regulatory molecules should facilitate the development of enhanced medical devices for use in regenerative medicine applications.