Nanotechnology Applications for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

In recent years, considerable interest has been given to develop biologically active antibacterial scaffolds which are similar analogs of the extracellular matrix (ECM) that have induced synthesis of tissues and organs. In order to restore the function or regenerate tissue, it is necessary that a scaffold must act as a temporary matrix for cell proliferation and ECM deposition, with subsequent ingrowth until the tissues are totally restored or regenerated. The main challenge is to create the scaffolds that promote tissue–cell interactions such as adhesion and proliferation while simultaneously inhibiting bacterial colonization. Antibacterial scaffolds have been used for tissue engineering such as bone, cartilage, ligament, skin, vascular tissues, neural tissues, and skeletal muscle. Scaffolds with controlled delivery of drugs or nanoparticles were commonly used for fabricating antibacterial scaffolds. In this chapter, an overview of the different types of antibacterial scaffolds loaded with nanoparticles such as silver, zinc oxide and ceria and antibiotic-loaded scaffolds with their material properties were discussed.