Question

Define functional tissue engineering and how the “-omics” sciences are driving this newly created research area.

Answer 1

Functional tissue engineering is an emerging branch of applied science which mainly aims to solve the mechanical and structural deformaties of the tissues and repair them using the principles of tissue engineering. To achieve this objective functional tissue engineering mainly employs the use of growth factors, gene deliver systems, stem cell therapy, and the most important is the scaffolds. These scaffolds act as template during tissue regeneration and guide the cells to form a new tissue.

Omics sciences are playing a major role in driving this newly created research area. Currently researchers are using transcriptomics ( gene expression profile) and proteomics (protein expression profile) to understand the biological properties of regenerating tissues. Recently materiomics combing the properties of biomaterials and biological process during tissue engineering is bringing huge improvements in the field of functional tissue engineering. These omics are shaping this emerging filed by integrating biology with tissue engineering in a well structured manner.