Tissue Engineering

Question 1

What is tissue engineering

Answer 1

In vitro development (growth) of tissues or organs to replace or support the function of defective or injured body parts

Question 2

What is the role of a scaffold

Answer 2

1. Substrate material is inserted to aid organisation of cells in 3D
2. Provides support and maintenance of shape

Question 3

Give three examples of polymeric material and describe them

Answer 3

1. Polymeric
   Chitosan and alginate
   Foams, hydrogels, fibres, thin film
   Highly hydrated with desirable mechanical properties
2. Natural
   Collagen, Elastin, Fibrin
   Hydrogels
   Fibrin factor Ia: fibrous, non globular protein involved in clotting of blood
3. Elastin: made of tropoelastin
   Major protein component that requires elasticity and founding arteries, lungs, bladder, skin and elastic ligaments and cartilage

Question 4

Give examples of biomaterial scaffold materials

Answer 4

1. Ceramic
2. Calcium phosphate for bone tissue engineering
3. Osteoconduction: surface properties to support osteoblast adhesion/prolifearion
4. Osteoinduction: stimulate new bone formation

Question 5

What are the ideal extracellular matrix properties

Answer 5

Proper surface chemistry

Matching mechanical strength

Question 6

What are the three types of cell culture

Answer 6

1. Monolayer- adherent cells
2. Suspension- non adherent cells
3. Three dimensional

Question 7

What are the sterilisation methods that can be used in cell culturing

Answer 7

UV light
70% ethanol
Steam autoclave
Gamma irradiation
Ethylene oxide gas

Question 8

What are the three different cells used in tissue engieering and explain their roles

Answer 8

1. Primary cell: differentiated cells harvested from patient (biopsy)
2. Passaged cells: serial expansion of primary cells
3. Stem Cells: undifferentiated cells, capable of cell renewal

Question 9

What do mesenchymal cells do

Answer 9

Stem cells that give rise to connective tissue (bone and cartilage)

Question 10

What do haematopoietic cells do

Answer 10

Give rise to blood cells and lymphocytes that are isolated from bone marrow