Combining cells with scaffolding materials to generate functional tissue constructs describes tissue engineering at its most basic level. Understanding and manipulating the complex relationship between the cells and the scaffolding materials, however, represents the great challenge for tissue engineers. What cells should be used, for example, and should the combination of cells and materials occur in vitro or in vivo? What scaffolding material will best facilitate development? How can development be guided using humoral or mechanical cues? How will the tissue construct be functionally integrated?
In
the area of biomaterial scaffold development, Institute researchers
are working to create biodegradable polymeric materials with
appropriate mechanical properties that can be modified to
incorporate biological activity, such as growth factors and
structural adhesive proteins. A variety of natural materials
also are being evaluated, including collagen gels, intestinal
submucosa, and carbohydrate-based hydrogels. And, Institute
researchers are studying novel ways to process mate- rials
into three-dimensional structures and to populate these structures
with surface-bound biological signaling molecules.
Answering these questions requires the knowledge and expertise of many disciplines: most notably, cell biology and bioengineering. At the McGowan Institute, a strong, close collaboration between cell biologists and engineers with backgrounds in biomechanics and polymer chemistry drives the Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials Program.
Mechanical characterization of engineered tissues is a notable strength within the Institute, as well, with the ability to relate mechanical properties to microstructural aspects of tissue constructs being of particular importance. This insight in relating microstructure to function is guiding the development of scaffolding materials and the process of mechanically training tissues during development. Finally, several groups are studying the response of primary and stem cells to mechanical stimulation.