Cell and Tissue Engineering

Cell and Tissue Engineering is an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of cell biology, materials science, and engineering to construct functional biological substitutes capable of restoring, maintaining, or improving damaged tissues or whole organs. This innovative approach typically involves seeding living cells onto a biocompatible scaffold, which provides the structural support for tissue formation, and then cultivating this construct in a bioreactor that supplies nutrients and essential biochemical signals to guide cell growth and differentiation. The ultimate goal is to create viable, implantable tissues—such as skin, cartilage, or bone—for therapeutic applications and to develop advanced 3D models for drug testing and disease research.

1. Introduction to Cell and Tissue Engineering
   1. Definition and Scope
      1. Definition of Cell Engineering
      2. Definition of Tissue Engineering
      3. Distinction from Regenerative Medicine
      4. Scope of Applications
   2. Historical Development
      1. Early Concepts and Discoveries
      2. Key Experiments in Tissue Culture
      3. Development of Biomaterials
      4. Landmark Clinical Applications
      5. Evolution of Manufacturing Techniques
   3. The Tissue Engineering Triad
      1. Cells
         1. Role of Cells in Tissue Formation
         2. Criteria for Cell Selection
         3. Cell Source Considerations
      2. Scaffolds
         1. Purpose of Scaffolds
         2. Scaffold-Cell Interactions
         3. Design Requirements
      3. Signaling Molecules
         1. Types of Signaling Molecules
         2. Role in Cell Behavior and Differentiation
         3. Delivery Mechanisms
   4. Interdisciplinary Nature
      1. Role of Cell Biology
         1. Understanding Cell Behavior
         2. Cell-ECM Interactions
         3. Cell Signaling Pathways
      2. Role of Materials Science
         1. Biomaterial Development
         2. Surface Modification Techniques
         3. Material Characterization
      3. Role of Engineering
         1. Bioreactor Design
         2. Process Scale-Up
         3. Manufacturing Considerations
      4. Role of Medicine
         1. Clinical Applications
         2. Surgical Techniques
         3. Patient Care