Tissue engineering: The first decade and beyond

This article reviews the important developments in the field of tissue engi neering over the last 10 years. Research in the area of biomaterials is exa mined from the perspective of providing the foundation for the development of tissue engineering. Early efforts combining cells with biocompatible mat erials are described and applications of this technology presented, with pa rticular focus on uses in orthopaedics and maxillofacial surgery. The basic principles of tissue engineering and state-of-the-art technology in cell b iology and materials science as used currently in the field are presented. Finally futures challenges are outlined from the perspective of integrating technologies from medicine, biology, and engineering, in hopes of translat ing tissue engineering to clinical applications. (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.