Stem cell differentiation and expansion for clinical applications of tissue engineering: Tissue Engineering Review Series

Abstract

Introduction The essentials of tissue engineering Biomaterials Cell types for tissue engineering Stem cells Embryonic stem cells 'Adult' stem cells Transition from bench to bedside Cell expansion/microencapsulation Conclusions This invited review discusses the latest advances stem cell biology, tissue engineering and the transition from bench to bedside. An overview is presented as to which the best cell source might be for cell therapy and tissue engineering applications, best biomaterials currently available and the challenges the field faces to translate basic research into therapies for a large number of human diseases. © 2007 Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine/Blackwell Publishing Ltd.