Scaffold materials are designed to enhance tissue formation through control of the local and surrounding environments. Scaffolds are critical in regulating cellular growth and provide a volume in which vascularization and stem cell differentiation can occur. Scaffold geometry significantly affects tissue differentiation through physical growth ques. Predicting tissue formation computationally requires theories that link physical growth ques to cell differentiation. Current models rely on mechano-regulation theory, widely shaped by Prendergast et al. for predicting cell growth. Thus a quantitative analysis of geometry and materials commonly used in tissue scaffolds is capable.
Such materials include:
* Porous ceramic and demineralized bone matrix supports
* Coralline cylinders
* Biodegradable material such as poly(α-hydroxy esters)
* Decellularized tissue matrices
* Injectable biomaterials or hydrogels are typically composed of polysaccharides, proteins/peptide mimetics, or synthetic polymers such as (poly(ethylene glycol)).
* Peptide amphiphile (PA) systems are self assembling and can form solid bioactive scaffolds after injection within the body.
* Inert systems have been proven to be adequate for tissue formation. Cartilage formation has occurred by injecting an inert agarose gel beneath the periosteum in a rabbit model, vascularization was restricted.
* fibrin
* Sponges made from collagen