Options for tissue engineering to address challenges of the aging skeleton

There will be more than 52 million Americans over the age of 65 by the year 2020 (U.S. Census Bureau). Regenerating form and function to bone defects in an elderly, osteoporotic population of this magnitude will be a daunting challenge. Tissue engineering options must be considered to answer this ch allenge. Options can include gene transfer technology, stem cell therapy, a nd recombinant signaling molecules. An additional component will be a carri er that localizes, protects, predictably releases cues and cells, as well a s establishes an environment for restoring osseous form and function. The p urposes of this article are to present an overview of the bone regenerating decrement affecting osteoporotic, elderly patients and to highlight some t issue engineering options that could offset this decrement.