Tissue Science and Regenerative Medicine

Tissue Repair and Regeneration

Deregulation of healthy tissue healing has significant negative effects on patients' quality of life and prognosis. The combined effects of excessive repair following damage (scarring/fibrosis) and inadequate healing (chronic wounds) drive up healthcare expenses to tens of billions of dollars annually in the US alone. Healing that is chronic and fibrotic takes place when the body's natural ability to mend itself is compromised or overtaxed. Using functioning tissue equivalents to replace diseased, damaged, or old tissues is one method used in regenerative medicine. Adverse host reactions, such as immunological, inflammatory, and fibrotic responses, which are a component of the body's repair process provide a hurdle to this strategy. Therefore, to encourage the closure of wounds that never heal and to prevent excessive restoration, regenerative medicine increasingly emphasizes supporting the adult body's natural regenerative capacities.