ABSTRACT
Membranes in hollow fiber (HF) configuration can be used for the creation of organs/tissue analogous because of the selective transport properties that allow high control at molecular level of cell microenvironment. This chapter aims to provide a valuable overview on the application of HFs and nanofibers in the field of bioartificial organs and tissue engineering looking to the emerging applications and future perspectives of membrane science and engineering. HF membranes were employed in the most of the bioartificial livers approved for clinical trials as extracorporeal supports and temporary bridges, in patients pending for liver transplant or waiting for the regeneration and recovery of their native or post-transplant organ. The most common ceramics used in bone tissue engineering to date are calcium phosphate and hydroxyapatite since they are very similar to the mineral phase of the bone matrix considering the structure and chemical composition.
