Polymer based systems on tissue engineering, replacement and regeneration : proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute held in Alvor, Algarve, Portugal, 15-25 October, 2001

Biodegradable, polymer-based systems are playing an increasingly pivotal role in tissue engineering replacement and regeneration. This type of biology-driven materials science is slated to be one of the key research areas of the 21 st century. The following aspects are crucial: the development of adequate human cell culture to produce the tissues in adequate polymer scaffold materials; the development of culture technology with which human tissues can be grown ex-vivo in 3D polymer matrices; the development of material technology for producing the degradable, 3D matrices, having mechanical properties similar to natural tissue. In addressing these and similar problems, the book contains chapters on biodegradable polymers, polymeric biomaterials, surface modification for controlling cell-material interactions, scaffold design and processing, biomimetic coatings, biocompatibility evaluation, tissue engineering constructs, cell isolation, characterisation and culture, and controlled release of bioactive agents. Front Matter....Pages i-5 30 Years of R&D in Portugal....Pages 7-10 Front Matter....Pages 11-11 Polymeric Biomaterials in Medica L Systems....Pages 13-24 Biodegradable Polymers for Orthopaedic Applications....Pages 25-36 Polymeric Matrices for Release of Growth Factors, Hormones and Other Bioactive Agents....Pages 37-52 Front Matter....Pages 53-53 Membranes and Hydrogels in Reconstructive Surgery....Pages 55-67 Key-Properties and Recent Advances in Bone Cements Technology....Pages 69-92 Soy Protein-Based Systems for Different Tissue Regeneration Applications....Pages 93-110 Front Matter....Pages 111-111 In Vitro Testing of Polymeric Scaffolds....Pages 113-123 Characterization of Degradable Polymers for Orthopedic Application....Pages 125-138 Dynamic Mechanical Analysis in Polymers for Medical Applications....Pages 139-164 Front Matter....Pages 165-165 Macromolecular Design of New Synthetic Biodegradable Medical Polymers....Pages 167-182 Surface Treatments and Pre-Calcification Routes to Enhance Cell Adhesion and Proliferation....Pages 183-217 Front Matter....Pages 219-219 Bone Tissue Engineering Using Starch Based Scaffolds Obtained by Different Methods....Pages 221-249 Bone Tissue Engineering by Cell Transplantation....Pages 251-263 Cultured Bone on Biomaterial Substrates....Pages 265-298 Injectable Biodegradable Materials for Orthopaedic Tissue Engineering....Pages 299-312 Tissue Engineering of Elastic Cartilage by Using Scaffold/Cell Constructs With Different Physical and Chemical Properties....Pages 313-332 Craniofacial Bone Tissue Engineering Using Medical Imaging, Computational Modeling, Rapid Prototyping, Bioresorbable Scaffolds and Bone Marrow Aspirates....Pages 333-354 Front Matter....Pages 355-355 Biodegradable Polymers as Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering and as Tissue Regeneration Inducers....Pages 357-370 Scaffolding Arterial Tissue....Pages 371-390 Front Matter....Pages 355-355 Tissue-Engineered Vascular Grafts for Small-Diameter Arterial Replacement....Pages 391-405 Front Matter....Pages 407-407 An Exploratory Analysis of the Determinants of Innovation in the Emerging Tissue Engineering Industry....Pages 409-418 Back Matter....Pages 419-422

Featuring 23 papers by doctors, engineers, and researchers from around the world, this volume contains the proceeding of the October 2001 conference in Alvor, Algarve, Portugal. The papers provide an overview on polymeric biomaterials and biodegradable polymers, and bring particular attention to topics like: hydrogels and bone cements; the characterization of polymeric systems; surface modification, functionalization, and osteoconductivity; tissue engineering and the regeneration of tissues, especially bone and cartilage; and industrial applications. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

In 1970 the old dictator Salazar died after a period of more than 40 years of undisputed ruling in Portuguese politics.