SCAFFOLD: TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

Abstract

Scaffolds are the central components, which are used to deliver the cells, drug and gene into the body. Polymeric scaffolds may be prepared as typical 3-D porous matrix, nanofibrous matrix, thermo sensitive sol-gel transition hydrogel or porous microsphere, which provide suitable substrate for cell attachment, cell proliferation, differentiated function, and cell migration. Scaffold matrices have specific advantage over other novel drug delivery systems by achieving high drug loading. This study has been conducted to illustrate the various fabrication techniques of scaffold like Particulate leaching, freeze-drying, Supercritical fluid technology, thermally induced phase separation, Rapid prototyping, powder compaction, sol-gel, melt moulding etc. These techniques allow the preparation of porous structures with regular porosity. The main conclusion of this study is Scaffold provides adequate signals (e.g., through the use of adhesion peptides and growth factors) to the cells, to induce and maintain them in their desired differentiation stage and for their survival and growth and their successful utilisation in various fields like bone formation, joint pain inflammation, tumor, periodontal regeneration, In-vivo generation of dental pulp, diabetes, osteochondrogenesis, wound dressing, inhibit bacterial growth, heart disease, repair of nasal and auricular malformation, cartilage development, regulated non-viral gene delivery, as artificial corneas, as heart valve, antiepileptic effect, tendon repair, ligament replacement, plasmid delivery, etc.