Sustainable Scaffolds-based Strategies in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

This book aims to provide a concise overview on the relevant research dealing with the design and fabrication methods of novel scaffolds, considering not only the technological challenges, but also the increasingly important sustainability issues. In this context, the vast options of sustainable biomaterials and eco-friendly/green methods for biomaterials synthesis and scaffold’s processing techniques are discussed. Importantly, the recent developments in the field of scaffolds-based strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications are also provided.

In brief, the book is divided into three main sections comprising 15 chapters, as follows:

I - Sustainable scaffold techniques and designs in tissue engineering;  II - Natural materials and eco-wastes used as sacrificial templates; and III - Biomedical applications.

It will also provide a concluding section about the Editor’s opinion on the current achievements and future directions of the field.

This book includes the contribution of leading and multidisciplinary experts, which will provide a in depth discussion on sustainable scaffolds for biomedical applications, thus serving as an up-to-date reference for a new generation of multidisciplinary students and researchers which aim to consider the sustainability dimension in their research activities.

Dr. Joaquim Miguel Oliveira BSc, PhD is a Principal Investigator with Habilitation at the 3B's Research Group, member of the PT Government Associate Laboratory ICVS/3B’s and Institute 3Bs (I3Bs), University of Minho (Portugal). He is the Vice President of I3Bs, President Elect of the Scientific Council of I3Bs, and Director of Pre-Clinical Research at the FIFA MEDICAL CENTER, Estádio do Dragão, Porto, PT. Currently, he is a Lecturer in Doctoral Program in Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cells (TERM&SC) at UMinho. He is also the Editor-in-chief of the In vitro Models Journal (Springer Nature) and one of the Editors of the Book Series on Biomaterials, Bioengineering and Sustainability (Springer). In 2023, Dr. Oliveira has been appointed Fellow Biomaterials Science and Engineering (FBSE) for excellent professional standing and high achievements in the field of biomaterials science and engineering. Over the years, he has focused his work on the field of biomaterials for tissue engineering, nanomedicine, stem cells, and cell/drug delivery. He also set up a new research line within the ICVS/3B’s on 3D in vitro models for cancer research. As a result of his proficiency, he has published so far more than 500 scientific contributions in scientific journals with the referee. Dr. Oliveira has 24 patents, 12 books published, 18 special issues/topic collections in scientific journals, and more than 130 book chapters in books with international circulation.
Dr. Joana Silva-Correia, BSc, PhD is an Assistant Researcher at the 3B’s Research Group, part of the I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of the University of Minho (UMinho) in Portugal. She holds a BSc degree (2003) in Applied Biology and a PhD degree (2009) in Sciences (Biology), both from UMinho. Her research work has been focusing on the development of biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications in different areas, namely the use of personalized bioprinted implants for musculoskeletal regeneration, and also for peripheral/central nervous system regeneration and in vitro cancer models’ development. Dr. Silva-Correia published so far 76 international peer-reviewed papers, 32 book chapters and 28 ISI indexed conference proceedings. In addition, she is inventor of 7 granted patents (WO, EP and PT), editor of 2 books and 3 special issues.
Prof. Rui Luís Reis, PhD, DSc, Hon. Causa MD, Hon. Causa PhD, FBSE, FTERM, member NAE (USA), FAIMBE, FEAMBES is a Full Professor of Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicine, Biomaterials and Stem Cells at University of Minho, Portugal. He is also the founder and the Director of the 3B’s Research Group from 1999-2022, presently part of the I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics of the University of Minho in Portugal (www.i3bs.uminho.pt), and the Director of the PT Government Associate Laboratory ICVS/3B´s since 2011, based on collaborative effort of the 3B´s Research Group and ICVS (Institute of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Minho Medical School). Rui L. Reis is the President of the I3Bs and CEO of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (TERM). Rui L. Reis has produced so far 1910 publications listed in ISI Web of Knowledge, 1790 publications listed in Scopus and 2745 listed on Google Scholar, including around 1475 ISI listed articles published in scientific journals with referee (the other are mainly abstract published in international journals or ISI listed proceedings) – being more than 175 of those review papers and 23 editorials, around 130 national and international filled/awarded patents (one of the awarded patents was selected as finalist for the European Inventor Award of 2013), 27 books, 18 special issues of journals and 340 book chapters in books with international circulation.