Designing Regenerative Bioadhesives for Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Abstract

Tissue loss through injury, surgery, and disease motivates the development of new biomaterials to enable tissue repair and regeneration. Emerging at the interface between bioadhesives and regenerative medicine, a new generation of regenerative bioadhesives is created to possess dual functions of seamless tissue adhesion and effective tissue repair. This bioadhesive innovation has wide clinical applications, ranging from wound management to the regeneration of musculoskeletal tissues such as tendons and intervertebral discs. This perspective covers the design principles of regenerative bioadhesives in considering both mechanical and biological elements. Case studies of regenerative bioadhesives for load-bearing organs such as skin, tendon, and intervertebral discs are presented here. Finally, immediate opportunities and future perspectives are outlined to further advance the field of regenerative bioadhesives.