Towards improved scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering aims to restore, maintain or improve tissue function of damaged tissues. In a classical set-up, a scaffold functions as a supporting structure and a carrier for growth factors and/or cells. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) have the ability to differentiate into bone, cartilage and fat lineage and provide an attractive source for cell-based tissue engineering approaches. This thesis explores a combination of various biomaterials, scaffold fabrication technologies and surface treatment techniques to create improved scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. The experimental work in the thesis is divided into parts. Part A (chapters 2-5) focuses mainly on introducing calcium phosphate to polymeric scaffolds by different methods – coatings, preparation of composite scaffolds and hybrid structures and Part B (chapters 6 and 7) focuses on the use of surface topography as a tool for altering cell behaviour.