A tissue engineering scaffold is a three-dimensional structure designed to support the growth and organization of cells in vitro and in vivo. These scaffolds serve as a temporary framework that mimics the natural extracellular matrix, providing both mechanical support and biochemical cues essential for cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Scaffolds can be created from a variety of materials, including biodegradable polymers, ceramics, and natural biomaterials, which can be tailored to meet specific tissue engineering needs.
The ideal scaffold should possess several key properties:
As the cells grow and regenerate the target tissue, the scaffold gradually degrades, ideally leaving behind a fully functional tissue that integrates seamlessly with the host.
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