ABSTRACT

This chapter provides a broad view of biomaterial constructs and their use in soft and hard tissue applications in 3D test systems. Now that there are many efforts focused on cellular benchtop models, it is time to use these models to test implants under a range of relevant physiological conditions. The chapter focuses on very basic in vitro testing– incorporation of implants in a 3D test system will allow an additional finer "screen" for new implants and will help eliminate clinical translation time and development costs of implants that are robust in standard two-dimensional 2D cellular culture but which behave very differently in a 3D tissue environment. It begins with a note from the editors and highlights the business issues associated with commercialization and clinical use of 3D tissue test systems. The opportunities to use 3D tissue test systems for challenging new hypotheses about nature, developing innovative diagnostics, and creating novel treatments are tremendous.