Bioactive materials: Definitions and application in tissue engineering and regeneration therapy

Abstract

The field of biomaterials has been evolving at an astonished rate in the last decades, leading to the design of bioactive materials, materials able to elicit specific and predictable cells and tissues responses. This chapter will go through the key milestones achieved during this exciting development with special emphasis on the meaning of material-driven bioactivity and its importance in the optimization of highly performing tissue regeneration and regeneration therapy methodologies. An overview on the history of bioactive glasses (bioglasses) (please consult the Editor’s note in order to clarify the usage of the terms bioglass, bioactive glass and biocompatible glass) and their biological properties will describe the huge potential of these materials in regenerative medicine applications. Finally, an introduction on stem cells and their role in the physiological development of tissues and organs will be given, shedding light on therapeutic synergistic approaches based on the use of bioactive materials and stem cells.