The profound transformations occurred in our modern age have been made possible by the unique combination of new technologies. Among them, me- cine has completely changed our perception of life. Longevity has been signi- cantly extended and linked to new lifestyles. The negative impact that pathologies and ageing have always had on the quality of our life is now mitigated by the availability of treatments daily applied to many individuals worldwide. For many years, pharmacological and surgical treatments have been supported by the introduction of biomedical devices. Biomedical implants have played a key role in the development of these treatments and achieved the objective of replacing tissue and organ structures and functionalities. Gra- ally, the scientific and clinical communities have understood that replacement could be improved by materials able to interact with the tissues and to parti- pate in their metabolism and functions. This approach soon led to biomedical implants with improved clinical performances, but also to a new aspiration; rather than replacing damaged tissues and organs scientists and clinicians nowadays aim at their partial or complete regeneration. As a consequence of this ambition, the disciplines of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have recently emerged. It is the dawn of a fascinating era where scientists from various disciplines, clinicians, and industry will need to intensify their col- borative efforts to provide our society with new and affordable solutions.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of present and future tissue engineering approaches and their contribution to regenerative medicine. It combines comprehensive reviews of the biology underlying the development and regeneration of different types of tissues in health and disease with the current and future strategies in regenerative medicine to meet clinical needs. Each chapter includes typical examples of methodologies and technical solutions as the basis for the most recent scientific findings and biomedical products, tables as mini-databases summarizing the most recent findings, and expert opinion on future research needs. There are exercises for students and links to specific websites in the main body of the text to complement a traditional reference list.

Chapter 1. Introduction: the History of Regenerative Medicine (S. Badylak, A. J. Russell, USA, M. Santin, UK) Chapter 2. Soft tissues characteristics and strategies for their replacement and regeneration (P. A. Netti, M. Ventre, F. Urciuolo, L. Ambrosio, Italy) Chapter 3. Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering of Hard Tissues. (E. Engel, O. Castaño, E. Salvagni, M. P. Ginebra, J. A. Planell, Spain) Chapter 4. Biomimetic and Bio-responsive Materials in Regenerative Medicine: Intelligent Materials for Healing Living Tissues (J. F. Pollock, K. E. Healy, USA) Chapter 5. Clinical Approaches to Skin Regeneration (S. E. James, P. Gilbert, I. Jones and R. Shevchenko, UK) Chapter 6. Biology of Angiogenesis: Developmental phases, Pathological damages and Physiological Pathways of Regeneration (R.K. Jain, USA) Chapter 7. Tissue Engineering of small- and large-diamter blood vessels. (D. Schmidt and S. P. Hoerstrup, Switzerland) Chapter 8. Pancreas Biology, Pathology and Tissue Engineering (W. McFarland, A. Bone, M. Harrison, UK) Chapter 9. The Holy Grail of Hepatocytes Culturing and Therapeutic Use (A. K. Nussler, N. C. Nussler, V. Merk, M. Brulport,W. Schormann , P. Yao, J. G. Hengstler, Germany) Chapter 10. Peripheral Nerve Injury, Repair and Regeneration (R. K. Potucek, S.W.P. Kemp, N. I. Syed, R. Midha, Canada) Chapter 11. Strategies for Ocular Regeneration (K. Ramaesh, N. Stone, B. Dhillon, UK) Chapter 12. Cartilage Development, Physiology, Pathologies and Regeneration (X. Wang, L. Rackwitz, U. Noth, R. S. Tuan, USA) Chapter 13. Basic Science and Clinical Strategies for Articular Cartilage Regeneration / Repair (B. W. Oakes, Australia) Chapter 14. Bone Biology: Development and Regeneration Mechanisms in Phyisological and Pathological Conditions (H.Yoshikawa, N. Tsumaki, A. Myoui, Japan) Chapter 15. Clinical Applications of BoneTissue Engineering (S. Scaglione, R. Quarto, Italy) Chapter 16. Conclusions. Towards High-Performance and Industrially-Sustainable Tissue Engineering Products. (M. Santin, Brighton, UK)