title: Design and preparation of polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering.
abstract: Polymeric scaffolds for tissue engineering can be prepared with a multitude of different techniques. Many diverse approaches have recently been under development. The adaptation of conventional preparation methods, such as electrospinning, induced phase separation of polymer solutions or porogen leaching, which were developed originally for other research areas, are described. In addition, the utilization of novel fabrication techniques, such as rapid prototyping or solid free-form procedures, with their many different methods to generate or to embody scaffold structures or the usage of self-assembly systems that mimic the properties of the extracellular matrix are also described. These methods are reviewed and evaluated with specific regard to their utility in the area of tissue engineering.
authors.affiliation: Department of Polymer Technology, Institute of Polymer Research, GKSS Research Center Geesthacht, Kantstr 55, D-14513 Teltow, Germany. thomas.weigel@gkss.de
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Weigel
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schinkel
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lendlein
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008863:Microspheres; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011108:Polymers