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Explores Biomedical Science from a Unique PerspectiveBiomaterials: A Basic Introduction is a definitive resource for students entering biomedical or bioengineering disciplines. This text offers a detailed exploration of engineering and materials science, and examines the boundary and relationship between the two. Based on the author's course lectur

Myocardial tissue engineering (MTE), a concept that intends to prolong patients'life after cardiac damage by supporting or restoring heart function, is continuously improving. Common MTE strategies include an engineered ‘vehicle', which may be a porous scaffold or a dense substrate or patch, made of either natural or synthetic polymeric materials. The function of the substrate is to aid transportation of cells into the diseased region of the heart and support their integration. This book, which contains chapters written by leading experts in MTE, gives a complete analysis of the area and presents the latest advances in the field. The chapters cover all relevant aspects of MTE strategies, including cell sources, specific TE techniques and biomaterials used. Many different cell types have been suggested for cell therapy in the framework of MTE, including autologous bone marrow-derived or cardiac progenitors, as well as embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells, each having their particular advantages and disadvantages. The book covers a complete range of biomaterials, examining different aspects of their application in MTE, such as biocompatibility with cardiac cells, mechanical capability and compatibility with the mechanical properties of the native myocardium as well as degradation behaviour in vivo and in vitro. Although a great deal of research is being carried out in the field, this book also addresses many questions that still remain unanswered and highlights those areas in which further research efforts are required. The book will also give an insight into clinical trials and possible novel cell sources for cell therapy in MTE.

Active implants are actually drug or protein-eluting implants that induce healing effects, in addition to their regular task, such as support. This effect is achieved by controlled release of the active agent to the surrounding tissue. This book will give a broad overview of biomaterial platforms used as basic elements of drug-eluting implants. It will include mainly coatings for vascular stents with controlled release of antiproliferative agents, wound dressings with controlled release of antibacterial agents, drug-eluting vascular grafts, protein-eluting scaffolds for tissue regeneration, drug-eluting platforms for dental and other applications. Thus, both internal and external implants are described. The drug-eluting implants will be described in terms of matrix formats and polymers, incorporated drugs and their release profiles from the implants, as well as implant functioning. Smart polymeric systems, such as crosslinked poly-lactones, thermo and pH-sensitive hydrogels and poly(amido-amines), as well as novel basic structural elements, such as composite fibers and films, and nanostructures will be thoroughly described. The effect of the processing parameters on the microstructure and on the resulting drug release profiles, mechanical and physical properties, and other relevant properties, will be emphasized. The described new biomaterials approaches for active implants enhance the tools available for creating clinically important biomedical applications.

Advances in genomics and combinatorial chemistry during the past two decades inspired innovative technologies and changes in the discovery and pre-clinical development paradigm with the goal of accelerating the process of bringing therapeutic drugs to market. Written by William Kisaalita, one of the foremost experts in this field, 3D Cell-Based Bio