Computational mechano-chemo-biology: a tool for the design of tissue scaffolds

Abstract

Computational modeling is usually employed for simulation, design and manufacturing of tissue scaffolds, specially focused on macroscopic and microscopic properties, relying on anatomy and geometrical constraints. However, these models typically require to take into account the effects of cell-matrix interaction due to its crucial influence on a range of cellular processes including cell adhesion, differentiation and tissue formation among others. Computational mechano-chemo-biology is a numerical approach that aims to consider this interaction by means of a multiphysics and/or a multiscale computer framework. This article reviews some of the recent pro- gress made in modeling bone regeneration induced by scaffolds, taking into account cell-matrix interactions. The issues covered in this work include different kind of numerical models at different length scales that go from cell-matrix interaction to tissue mechanics. The review concludes summarizing the main challenges that researchers face to consolidate modeling as a final design tool for tissue engineering.