Advanced Biomaterials for Regenerating Diseased Organs

In this talk I will describe cutting-edge technologies for engineering functional cardiac tissues, focusing on the design of new biomaterials mimicking the natural microenvironment of the heart, or releasing biofactors to promote stem cell recruitment and cardioprotection. In addition, I will discuss the development of patient-specific materials and 3D-printing of personalized vascularized cardiac patches. Finally, I will show a new direction in tissue engineering, where, micro and nanoelectronics are integrated within engineered tissues to form cyborg tissues. In this new concept the built-in electronic network is used to on-line record cellular electrical activity and when needed to provide electrical stimulation for synchronizing cell contraction. Furthermore, electroactive polymers containing biological factors can be deposited on designated electrodes to release drugs in the cellular microenvironment on demand, affecting the engineered tissue or the host.