Nanotechnology: A Toolkit for Cell Behavior

Tissue engineering seeks to effectively manipulate cellular populations to improve the function of damaged or diseased tissues and organs. Many techniques can affect cell behavior; however, in order to maintain desirable function, scientists and engineers design solutions that are as biomimetic as possible. True biomimeticity is very challenging without the incorporation of nanotechnology. Since cells in human tissues are surrounded by a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical tissue extracellular matrix containing numerous nanocomponents, a revolutionary change in tissue engineering is to explore biomimetic nanobiomaterials and advanced 3D nano/microfabrication techniques for creating novel tissue constructs and regulating cell behavior. This chapter provides an overview of recent nanotechnology in tissue engineering applications. We will put special emphasis on integrating cutting-edge 3D nano/microfabrication techniques with nanobiomaterials for complex tissue and organ regeneration.