title: Visions for regenerative medicine: interface between scientific fact and science fiction.
abstract: This article gives a brief overview of the authors' views on the future development of tissue engineering with respect to the challenges both to the materials and life sciences. Emphasis will be placed on the advantages of three-dimensional bioresorbable polymers in combination with relevant molecular cues and the application of autologous stem or progenitor cells. There is a requirement for much more diversity in the synthesis of so-called "intelligent" materials, which respond to external stimuli, as well as the development of novel drug and gene delivery systems. In addition, much more basic research is necessary in developmental biology and the application of modern cell and molecular biology to biomaterial questions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for REgenerative PAthology & Interface Research (REPAIR-lab), Institute of Pathology, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany. kirkpatrick@repair-lab.org
authors.forename: C James
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Kirkpatrick
authors.forename: Sabine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fuchs
authors.forename: Kirsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brochhausen
authors.forename: M Iris
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Hermanns
authors.forename: Ronald E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Unger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005544:Forecasting; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D011108:Polymers; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000639:trends*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers