Regenerative Engineering: Approaches to Limb Regeneration and Other Grand Challenges

Abstract

Abstract: The clinical grand challenge to regenerate complex tissue and organ systems calls for a paradigm shift that requires a transdisciplinary approach. The field of regenerative engineering puts forward a convergence approach to create a regenerative toolbox to move beyond individual tissue repair to the regeneration of complex tissues and organ systems. Here, we discuss the regenerative tool box currently under development to address grand opportunities in complex tissue/organ regeneration. Lay Summary: Regenerating damaged tissues rather than repairing or replacing is the holy-grail to address the clinical challenge of organ damage. Unlike advanced prosthetics, the field of “Regenerative Engineering” aims to completely regenerate complex tissues and organ systems such as a knee or a whole limb.