ABSTRACT
Stem and progenitor cells are tightly regulated in vivo. They are controlled by exogenous signals produced by the extracellular matrix in their tissuespecifi c microenvironment. Engineered biomaterials can be instrumental in creating a suitable microenvironment by providing spatial proximity of cells in scaffolding structures, presenting adhesion receptor ligands and growth factors in defi ned spatio-temporal pattern (incorporated into the biomaterial), producing mechanical signals and enabling cell-driven matrix reorganization. A wide variety of functional materials have recently been developed that meet these criteria, producing exciting results that has
1Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, Hohe Straße 6, 01069 Dresden, Germany. 2Technische Universität Dresden, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Fetscherstraße 105, 01307 Dresden, Germany. 3Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy, and Biomedical Sciences (SIPBS), University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, United Kingdom. 4Universität Leipzig, Institute of Biochemistry, Johannisallee 21-23, 04103 Leipzig, Germany. *Corresponding author: werner@ipfdd.de
List of abbreviations after the text.
