Cell delivery for regenerative medicine by using bioresorbable polymers

For regenerative medicine, the development of an optimal biomaterial system to deliver cells is crucial to precisely locate cells in the target site while preserving cell activity and function. In addition, the cell delivery construct should have the same instructive role as the extracellular microenvironment that naturally surrounds cells within a tissue. This chapter presents an overview of main concepts for the design of bioresorbable constructs for cell delivery and tissue regeneration, namely, types of polymers with recognized biocompatibility and bioresorbability, mechanical properties, structural architecture, and mass transport of the construct, as well as incorporation of biochemical and biophysical cues to provide instructive cell signaling and scaffold bioactivity. Regulatory and clinical aspects are mentioned at the end as they are important to ensure commercial success for these cutting-edge products.