Scaffolds for tissue engineering are devices that exploit specific and complex physical and biological functions,
in vitro
or
in vivo
, and communicate through biochemical and physical signals with cells and, when implanted, with the body environment. Scaffolds are produced mainly with synthetic materials, and their fabrication technologies are derived from already well-established industrial processes, with some new specific technologies having been developed in the last years to address required complexities.
Often, a generalist approach is followed for the translation of materials and technologies designed for other applications, without considering the specific role of scaffolds from a physical and biological point of view. The book illustrates scaffold design principles, with particular relevance to the biological requirements needed to control and drive the biological cross talk, and reviews materials and fabrication and validation methods.