uIntroduction

Why are biomaterials and tissue engineering needed?

no need for immunosuppressants
more humane, more patient acceptance
cost-effectiveness and sustainability
Living systems tend to fail incrementally and not all at once, so by fixing specific
parts, you can extend lifespan
organ shortage
ability to develop better models for drugs
global burden of disease
Graying population - living systems tend to fail catastrophically; have to
deal with chronic diseases (heart disease, diabetes, cancer); wear and
tear diseases such as arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases
developing nations (low and middle income countries) have disease
sufferers on both ends of the spectrum; communicable diseases
(infectious diseases); non communicable diseases (chronic diseases)
national health affects economic stability (ex. Africa, poor health has led
to the inability of retention of stability)

What is a biomaterial?
used in the body or a medical device
artificial structure
parts found in life or mimicking them
ability to function as part of a living system
long term goal is for it to independently run on its own
improves overall function of system
... A biomaterial is a non viable system (that cannot sustain life on its own,
like a mouse) intended to interact with a living system to produce a desired
result...
Biocompatibility:
meets mechanical requirements
system accepts the biomaterial
meets physical requirements
chemical requirements met, no premature breakdown, degrades if
desired
cooperative interaction
does not interfere with normal interaction
non-toxic to healthy tissue, possibly toxic to unhealthy tissue
adaptable
maintains homeostasis
genetic compatibility
... the ability of the biomaterial to perform its desired function
without causing adverse effects
 What is tissue engineering?
Science sciare to know
Engineer in generare to create
the creation of a construct which has the desired effect of stimulating tissue
repair and regeneration
Methods:
degradable polymer scaffold plus cells plus growth factors
DNA and RNA are polymers and nucleic acids (information)
proteins are polymers of amino acids (structure)
polysaccharides are polymers of sugars (energy)
decellularized extracellular matrix plus cells plus growth factors

Tissue Engineering vs. Prosthetics

A prosthetic is never as good as the day it is implanted

Major Killers
1. Coronary artery disease
2. Stroke
3. Pneumonia, lower respiratory diseases
4. Emphysema/COPD
5. Diarrheal Disease
6. HIV/AIDS (go hand in hand w/TB)
7. Tuberculosis (w/HIV/AIDS)
8. Lung cancer (#1 cancer killer)
9. Road accidents, trauma
10. Prematurity
11. Diabetes

*ability to anticipate problems and solve them, for example, my friend has strokes