Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
37344 | Trends in Biotechnology | 2012 | 11 Pages |
Recreating the most critical aspects of the native extracellular matrix (ECM) is fundamental to understand and control the processes regulating cell fate and cell function. From the ill-defined complexity to the controlled simplicity, we discuss the different strategies that are being carried out by scientists worldwide to achieve the latest advances in the sophistication of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, stressing their impact on cell biology, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Synthetic and naturally derived polymers like polyethylene glycol, alginate, agarose, etc., together with micro- and nanofabrication techniques are allowing the creation of 3D models where biophysical and biochemical variables can be modified with high precision, orthogonality and even in real-time.