Scaffold and scaffold-free self-assembled systems in regenerative medicine.
Self-assembly in tissue engineering refers to the spontaneous chemical or biological association of components to form a distinct functional construct, reminiscent of native tissue. Such self-assembled systems have been widely used to develop platforms for the delivery of therapeutic and/or bioactive molecules and various cell populations. Tissue morphology and functional characteristics have been recapitulated in several self-assembled constructs, designed to incorporate stimuli responsiveness and controlled architecture through spatial confinement or field manipulation. In parallel, owing to substantial functional properties, scaffold-free cell-assembled devices have aided in the development of functional neotissues for various clinical targets. Herein, we discuss recent advancements and future aspirations in scaffold and scaffold-free self-assembled devices for regenerative medicine purposes. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 1155-1163. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Dilip
D
Thomas
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Diana
D
Gaspar
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Anna
A
Sorushanova
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Gesmi
G
Milcovich
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Kyriakos
K
Spanoudes
Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Ireland.
Anne Maria
AM
Mullen
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.|Regenerative Medicine Institute (REMEDI), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Timothy
T
O'Brien
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland.
Abhay
A
Pandit
Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland. dimitrios.zeugolis@nuiglaway.ie.|Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Biosciences Research Building, National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway), Galway, Ireland. dimitrios.zeugolis@nuiglaway.ie.
Dimitrios I
DI
Zeugolis
D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000737:chemistry*; D048091:Guided Tissue Regeneration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D044968:Regenerative Medicine / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds
cell-assembled devices; delivery of biologics; modular engineering; self-assembly; stimuli-responsive polymers; tissue engineering