The Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative

The Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative (PTEI) is the prime catalyst f or tissue-engineering research and the development of a viable for-profit t issue-engineering industry in southwestern Pennsylvania. PTEI operates targ eted programs that support commercializable research; provide professional and community education; and facilitate interactions between academic medic al centers, regional government, and industry to support the development of a vibrant tissue-engineering industry. This article discusses the types of research and education programs provided by PTEI and provides a brief summ ary of some of the tissue-engineering-related research in the region.