Biomaterials and Regenerative Technologies

Biomaterials and regenerative technologies involves both basic and translational research involving Materials Science, Tissue Engineering, Therapeutics and Biomolecular Delivery, as well as Molecular and Cellular Biology. The field deals with understanding the behavior of cells and tissues in health and diseases using quantitative engineering tools, and develops new strategies for engineering, replacing, or regenerating human cells, tissues or organs to restore or establish normal function. This field harnesses the power of materials to stimulate, modulate and control the body's own repair mechanisms to functionally heal previously irreparable tissues or organs. Rational design of biomaterials takes cues from the natural tissue or uses organic and inorganic synthesis to design smart biomaterials that respond to environmental cues, can provide precise spatial/temporal control of biomolecule presentation or delivery, and integrate seamlessly in vivo. Application areas include scaffolds for regenerative medicine, stem cell engineering, 3D bioprinting, organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems, local and systemic immunomodulation, nano or microparticles for drug or vaccine delivery or imaging and materials-based novel diagnostic agents. For example: 3D bioprinting technology enables construction of multi-cellular/multi-material tissues of precise architecture, building up complex thick tissues and facilitating patient-specific design for a certain defect. On the other hand, microtissues, organoids, organs-on- a-chip or ex vivo tissue engineered structures offer tissue-like mimics or complex organ composites which can be comprised of normal or diseased cells for drug screening or personalized medicine.