The Role of Polymer Engineering in Achieving Desirable Properties for Tissue Engineering Applications: Bulk Modification and Bioconjugation of Aliphatic Polyesters

Abstract

Tissue engineering aims to restore, maintain, or improve damaged tissues through the use of polymer scaffolds that support cellular growth and regeneration. Copolymerization enables the fine-tuning of thermal, structural, and mechanical polymer properties, facilitating scaffold fabrication via techniques like electrospinning and 3D printing. Functionalization and bioconjugation approaches, including thiol-ene click chemistry, allow for targeted surface modification without altering bulk properties, improving interaction with biological environments and enhancing the specificity and functionality of polyester-based scaffolds. This review highlights the central role of polymer reaction engineering in advancing aliphatic polyesters for tissue engineering, focusing on recent innovations in synthetic strategies and functionalization techniques that expand their applicability in regenerative medicine.