Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Functional design of scaffolds for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

International Conference on Regenerative & Functional Medicine

November 12-14, 2012 Hilton San Antonio Airport, USA

Henrique de Amorim Almeida

Accepted Abstracts: J Stem Cell Res Ther

Abstract:

Tissue engineering represents a new, emerging interdisciplinary field involving combined efforts of biologists, engineers, material scientists and mathematicians towards the development of biological substitutes to restore, maintain, or improve tissue functions. Most strategies in tissue engineering have focused on using biomaterials as scaffolds to direct specific cell types to organize into three-dimensional structures and perform differentiated functions. The three most common strategies which have been adopted for the creation of new tissues are: self-assembly cells, acellular scaffolds and Cell-seeded temporary scaffolds. Scaffolds provide temporary mechanical and vascular support for tissue regeneration while shaping tri-dimensional in-growth tissues. Therefore scaffolds should be biocompatible, biodegradable with appropriate porosity, pore structure, pore distribution, optimal mechanical and vascular behavior and optimal cell mechanobiological stimulation. The design of optimized scaffolds based on the fundamental knowledge of its macro and microstructure is a relevant topic of current research works. Besides presenting a general overview of current scaffold design methodologies, this presentation explores the use of biomimetic surfaces such as the Triple Periodic Minimal Surfaces (Schwartz and Schoen geometries) in scaffold design based on parameters such as their mechanical and vascular stimulation on the seeded cells. Another relevant topic is based on the comparison of experimental and numerical results of regular-based geometric scaffolds regarding high values of deformation, namely, in the plastic deformation domain. A brief overview of other numerical research works in the field of scaffold design will also be presented, such as the mechanical and vascular prediction of polymer degrading scaffolds.

Biography :

Henrique Almeida is a Founding Member of the Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development of the Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and of the ?International Society on Biofabrication?. Currently awaiting his PhD thesis defense in the Design of Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications. Member of the organizing committees of the following international conferences on: Advanced Research in Virtual and Rapid Prototyping, Sustainable Intelligent Manufacturing, Tissue Engineering (ECCOMAS Thematic Conference). Participates in several research projects funded by national and/or international agencies. Editor of 7 books published as author and co-author over 115 articles (chapters, journals and conferences) and owns 4 patents.