Loredana De Bartolo Bücher

This publication provides a valuable overview of biomaterial approaches to restoring tissues and organs by using different biofabrication strategies and materials, focusing on recent advances in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Papers cover the design of biomaterials and devices to be applied in vivo and in vitro, and a range of topics related to stem cell biology, biomaterials and technological approaches. Specific topics include the generation of new functional hepatic substitutes, improvements in the bone repair process, neuronal tissue formation, a pioneering model of cardiac fibrosis, and the creation of a novel vein valve prosthesis. This multi-disciplinary approach highlights how the different characteristics of biomaterials and devices are responsible for the promotion of cell integration, and ultimately new tissue formation. This issue is a must-read for biomaterial scientists, tissue engineers, clinicians, as well as stem cell biologists involved in basic research and its applications.

Membrane processes today play a signifi cant role in the replacement therapy for acute and chronic organ failure diseases. Current extracorporeal blood purifi cation and oxygenation devices employ membranes acting as selective barriers for the removal of endogeneous and exogeneous toxins and for gas exchange, respectively. Additionally, membrane technology offers new interesting opportunities for the design of bioartificial livers, pancreas, kidneys, lungs etc. This book reviews the latest developments in membrane systems for bioartificial organs and regenerative medicine, investigates how membrane technology can improve the quality and efficiency of biomedical devices, and highlights the design procedures for membrane materials covering the preparation, characterization, and sterilization steps as well as transport phenomena. The different strategies pursued for the development of membrane bioartifi cial organs, including crucial issues related to blood/cell-membrane interactions are described with the aim of opening new and exciting frontiers in the coming decades. The book is a valuable tool for tissue engineers, clinicians, biomaterials scientists, membranologists as well as biologists and biotechnologists. It is also a source of reference for students, academic and industrial researchers in the topic of biotechnology, biomedical engineering, materials science and medicine.