Stem cell-biomaterial interactions for regenerative medicine

The synergism of stem cell biology and biomaterial technology promises to have a profound impact on stem-cell-based clinical applications for tissue regeneration. Biomaterials development is rapidly advancing to display properties that, in a precise and physiological fashion, could drive stem-cell fate both in vitro and in vivo. Thus, the design of novel materials is trying to recapitulate the molecular events involved in the production, clearance and interaction of molecules within tissue in pathologic conditions and regeneration of tissue/organs.In this review we will report on the challenges behind translating stem cell biology and biomaterial innovations into novel clinical therapeutic applications for tissue and organ replacements (graphical abstract).

Graphical abstract“Ad personam” tissue engineering strategies. Stem cells harvested from a patient are expanded in vitro and seeded on the scaffold before implantation into the body's patient. Alternatively, the tissue of interest can be generated in vitro and implanted into the damaged body-part of the patient. Somatic differentiated cells could also be used to generate induced Pluripotent Stem cells as a patient specific cell source.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide