Nanomaterials and scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have caused a revolution in biomedicine over the past decade; the fabrication of tissue substitutes in the laboratory is now possible by using various cells, biomaterial scaffolds, and bioactive molecules. With the advent of nanotechnology, it has become possible to manufacture tissue-engineered constructs with the ability to improve cellular functions and subsequently accelerate tissue healing. Nanoscale materials are currently being used in diverse tissue-engineering applications, including the fabrication of three-dimensional scaffolds and the delivery of therapeutic molecules and drugs. Moreover, the surface modification of tissue-engineered constructs by applying nano-topographies is recognized as an effective strategy to elicit desirable biological responses, including better cell attachment and proliferation. Similar to other new technologies, the health benefits and risks of nanotechnology should be carefully evaluated before its extensive use and regulations and guidelines are needed. In this chapter, we have tried to present briefly the current state and progress of nanotechnology-assisted tissue engineering and regenerative medicine in the biomedical setting.