Question

Many scientists are working to generate organs in vitro. In some cases, cells are seeded onto a "scaffold" shaped like the desired target organ. Such scaffolds are likely composed of extracellular matrix proteins.

Answer 1

Explanation:

Tissue engineering evolved from the biomaterial development field and refers to the practice of combining biologically active scaffolds, cells and molecules to create functional tissues. The goal of tissue engineering is to collect ideas or theories that restore, maintain or improve damaged tissues or entire organs. Skin and artificial cartilage are examples of engineered fabrics that have been approved by the FDA; however, they currently have limited use in human patients.

Regenerative medicine is a broad field that includes tissue engineering, but it also incorporates research on self healing - where the body uses its own systems, sometimes with the help of foreign biological material, to recreate cells and rebuild tissues and organs. The terms "tissue engineering" and "regenerative medicine" have become interchangeable, as the field attempts to focus on cures rather than on treatments for complex and often chronic diseases.

This field continues to evolve. In addition to medical applications, non-therapeutic applications include the use of tissues as biosensors to detect biological or chemical threatening agents, and tissue chips that can be used to test the toxicity of an experimental drug.