THE ROLE OF POLYMERS IN BONE TISSUE ENGINEERING - A REVIEW

ABSTRACT The rise of scaffold-based polymeric tissue regeneration has been driven by the properties of biodegradable polymers. These biodegradable polymers offer mechanical support and promote tissue regeneration. They also influence cellular populations, enhancing regeneration. Growth and morphogenetic factors can influence cellular migration and differentiation. Biodegradable polymers are attractive biomaterials for scaffold development due to their flexibility in chemistry and ability to produce biocompatible degradation products. This paper reviews approaches to polymeric scaffold-based bone tissue regeneration, highlighting the roles of natural polymers and scaffold design challenges. The functions of natural polymers and the difficulties in designing scaffolds are highlighted in this review of methods for polymeric scaffold-based bone tissue regeneration.