Tissue engineering, stem cells, and cloning for the regeneration of urologic organs.
Tissue engineering efforts are currently being undertaken for every type of tissue and organ within the urinary system. Most of the effort expended to engineer genitourinary tissues has occurred within the last decade. Tissue engineering techniques require a cell culture facility designed for human application. Personnel who have mastered the techniques of cell harvest, culture, and expansion as well as polymer design are essential for the successful application of this technology. Various engineered genitourinary tissues are at different stages of development, with some already being used clinically, a few in preclinical trials, and some in the discovery stage. Recent progress suggests that engineered urologic tissues may have an expanded clinical applicability in the future.
Atala
Anthony
A
Department of Urology, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA. a.atala@tch.harvard.edu
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D019976:Cloning, Organism / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015917:Penile Prosthesis; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D014566:Urogenital System / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery
D001672:Biocompatible Materials