Alginate-based biomaterials for tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Tissue engineering is an emerging area of research with an aim to develop artificial tissues that can be potentially useful for treating diseased and damaged tissues or organs. The advancement of additive manufacturing in tissue engineering has made considerable progress in the development of artificial tissue/organs using synthetic and natural biomaterials. Alginate is a naturally derived biomaterial and considerable attention has been given to its tissue engineering and drug delivery applications. Additive manufacturing customized alginate-based biomaterials provide adequate mechanical strength, and porosity, and mimic the extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration. Alginate has been combined with other polymers and ceramic materials for various tissue engineering applications. Alginate composites developed using additive manufacturing techniques have permitted bone healing and defect site restoration. Alginate offers gel-forming properties and can encapsulate cells and growth factors. Its biodegradable property can make it suitable for tissue engineering applications. © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.