Venkatram Prasad Shastri & George Altankov 
Advances in Regenerative Medicine: Role of Nanotechnology, and Engineering Principles 

This book summarizes the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on “Nanoengineered Systems for Regenerative Medicine” that was organized under the auspices of the NATO Security through Science Program. I would like to thank NATO for supporting this workshop via a grant to the co-directors. The objective of ARW was to explore the various facets of regenerative me- cine and to highlight role of the “the nano-length scale” and “nano-scale systems” in defining and controlling cell and tissue environments. The development of novel tissue regenerative strategies require the integration of new insights emerging from studies of cell-matrix interactions, cellular signalling processes, developmental and systems biology, into biomaterials design, via a systems approach. The chapters in the book, written by the leading experts in their respective disciplines, cover a wide spectrum of topics ranging from stem cell biology, developmental biology, ce- matrix interactions, and matrix biology to surface science, materials processing and drug delivery. We hope the contents of the book will provoke the readership into developing regenerative medicine paradigms that combine these facets into cli- cally translatable solutions. This NATO meeting would not have been successful without the timely help of Dr. Ulrike Shastri, Sanjeet Rangarajan and Ms. Sabine Benner, who assisted in the organization and implementation of various elements of this meeting. Thanks are also due Dr. Fausto Pedrazzini and Ms. Alison Trapp at NATO HQ (Brussels, Belgium). The commitment and persistence of Ms.

Table of Content

Preface. Cell Adhesions and Signaling – A Tool for Biocompatibility Assessment; R. Pankov, A. Momchilova.- Development of Provisional Extracellular Matrix on Biomaterials Interface Lessons from In Vitro Cell Culture; G. Altankov et al.- Endothelial Progenitor Cells for Tissue Engineering and Tissue Regeneration; J. Bischoff.- Dermal Precursors and the Originis of the Wound Fibroblast; J.M. Davidson.- Cell Based Therapies: What do we learn from Periosteal Osteochondrogenesis? P.J. Emans et al.-Bioreactor Systems in Regenerative Medicine; I. Martin et al.- Biomimetic Approaches to Design of Tissue Engineering Bioreactors; B. Obradovic et al.- The Nature of the Thermal Transition Influences the Shape-Memory Behavior of Polymer Networks; A. Lendlein et al.- Surface Engineered Polymeric Biomaterials with Improved Biocontact Properties; T. Vladkova, N. Krasteva.- Nanocomposites for regenerative medicine; R. Hoshi et al.- Role of Spatial Distribution of Matricellular Cues in Controlling Cell Functions; D. Guarnieri, P. Netti.- Materials Surface Effects on Biological Interactions; J.A.Planell et al.- Chemical and Physical Modifications of Biomaterial Surfaces to Control Adhesion of Cells; Th. Groth et al.- Results of Biocompatibility Testing of Novel, Multifuntional Polymeric Implant Materials in Vitro and in Vivo; D. Rickert et al.- UFOS, Worms, and Surfboards: What Shapes Teach us about Cell-Material Interactions; J.A.Champion, S. Mitragotri.- Nano-engineered Thin Films for Cell and Tissue-Contacting Applications; R.F.Haglund, jr. Injectable Hydrogels: From Basics To Nanotechnological Features And Potential Advances; B. Baroli.- Polyelectrolyte Complexes as Smart Nanoengineered Systems for Biotechnology and Gene Delivery; V.A. Izumdurov