Discover published sets by community

The ECM is a complex network of proteins and carbohydrates that provides structural and biochemical support to surrounding cells. Examples include collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycans.

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells with the potential to differentiate into various cell types. Examples include embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).

Scaffolds are materials used to support the growth of new tissue by providing a three-dimensional structure. Examples include hydrogels, foam, and fibrous scaffolds.

A bioreactor is a device that provides a controlled environment for tissue growth, simulating physiological conditions. Examples include spinner flasks and perfusion bioreactors.

Growth factors are proteins that stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. Examples include fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs).

Angiogenesis is the formation of new blood vessels from existing ones, which is critical in providing nutrients and removing waste in new tissues. Examples include the process driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

Cell culture is the process of growing cells in a controlled environment outside their natural environment. Examples include 2D cell cultures on Petri dishes and 3D cultures in scaffolds.

Biocompatibility refers to the ability of a material to perform with an appropriate host response when applied as a medical therapy. Examples include materials that do not cause inflammation or toxicity.

An autograft is a graft of tissue from one point to another of the same individual's body. Examples include skin grafts for burn victims and bone grafts in orthopedic surgery.

An allograft is a graft of tissue between genetically non-identical members of the same species. Examples include kidney transplants and corneal transplants.

A xenograft is a graft of tissue from one species to a different species. Examples include pig heart valves used in human patients and bovine collagen in cosmetic surgery.

Decellularization is the process of removing cells from a tissue, leaving behind the ECM which can then be recellularized. Examples include decellularized heart valves or blood vessels.

Recellularization is the process of introducing new cells into a previously decellularized ECM to generate functional tissue. Examples include seeding stem cells onto a decellularized organ scaffold.

Bioink is a biomaterial used in 3D bioprinting that contains living cells and supporting materials. Examples of bioinks include hydrogel-based inks containing cells or cell aggregates.

3D bioprinting is a technique that allows the layer-by-layer deposition of cells and biomaterials to fabricate tissue-like structures. Examples include printing skin tissue or constructing complex organ structures.

Differentiation is the process by which stem cells or progenitor cells mature into specific cell types with distinct functions. Examples include the formation of osteoblasts from mesenchymal stem cells or neurons from neural stem cells.

Cryopreservation is the process of preserving cells, tissues, or organs at very low temperatures. Examples include preserving cord blood stem cells and freezing tissue samples.

Cell seeding involves distributing cells onto a scaffold to promote tissue growth. Examples include seeding chondrocytes on a scaffold for cartilage repair or hepatocytes for liver tissue engineering.

Biomimicry is the emulation of the models, systems, and elements of nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems. Examples include designing scaffolds that mimic natural tissue architecture.

The Tissue Engineering Triad refers to the three key components: scaffold, cells, and bioactive molecules (e.g., growth factors), which are essential for creating new tissue.

Organ printing is a subset of 3D bioprinting that focuses on creating functional, transplantable organs. Examples include printing 3D liver constructs or kidney tissues.

Cell-Matrix Interaction refers to the relationship between cells and the extracellular matrix, affecting cell behavior such as adhesion, migration, and differentiation. Examples include how cells attach to collagen fibers or how they respond to matrix stiffness.

Tissue Regeneration is the process by which tissues repair and regrowth occurs naturally or induced by artificial means. Examples include bone healing and liver regeneration.

Mechanical Stimulation involves applying physical forces to cells or tissues, affecting their growth and differentiation. Examples include stretching forces on muscle tissue or shear stress in blood vessels.

Electrospinning is a fabrication process used to create nanofiber scaffolds that mimic the ECM's fibrous structure. Examples include scaffolds made of polycaprolactone (PCL) or collagen.

Hydrogels are networks of hydrophilic polymers that can hold a large amount of water, used as scaffolds in tissue engineering. Examples include alginate or gelatin-based hydrogels.

Tissue Scaffolding refers to the supportive frameworks used in tissue engineering to facilitate the formation and growth of new tissues. Examples include porous structures made from synthetic or natural materials.

In Vivo refers to processes or reactions taking place inside a living organism. In tissue engineering, examples include the integration and function of implanted engineered tissues.

In Vitro refers to processes or reactions that occur outside of a living organism, typically in a controlled laboratory environment. Examples include cell culture and tissue-engineered constructs before implantation.

Cell Homing refers to the process where cells migrate to a site of injury or a scaffold to participate in repair or regrowth. Examples include stem cell migration to damaged heart tissue or to a scaffold in a bioreactor.

Cell Proliferation is the process by which cells duplicate and increase in number. In tissue engineering, this is essential for populating scaffolds and forming tissue. Examples include keratinocyte expansion for skin grafts.

Cell Adhesion is the ability of cells to attach to surfaces, including the ECM or artificial scaffolds. Examples include the adhesion of endothelial cells to a vascular graft.

A Tissue Engineering Chamber is a device used to house and grow tissues in vivo, allowing isolation and controlled development. Examples include chambers used for growing ear cartilage on the back of a mouse.

Osteoinduction refers to the process of inducing undifferentiated cells to become osteoblasts, which form bone. Examples include BMPs inducing mesenchymal stem cells to become bone-forming cells.

Chondrogenesis is the process of chondrocyte formation from mesenchymal stem cells, leading to cartilage tissue formation. Examples include growing articular cartilage for joint repair.

Vasculogenesis is the process of blood vessel formation that occurs by de novo production of endothelial cells. Examples include the formation of capillary networks in growing organoids.

Fibroblasts are a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen. They play a critical role in wound healing and tissue repair. Examples include fibroblasts producing collagen scaffolds for skin regeneration.

Epithelialization is the formation of epithelial tissue over a wound surface. This process is vital in closing wounds and creating new skin surfaces. Examples include healing of skin grafts.

A Biomaterial is any substance engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical purpose. Examples include bioabsorbable sutures or titanium bone implants.