TISSUE ENGINEERING Function follows form

A tissue-engineering approach using an electrospun- fiber laminated scaffold which could provide functional equivalence with native tissues in both construction form and strength is discussed. The annulus fibrosis is a collagen-fiber reinforced laminated tissue, which serves the dual mechanical roles of maintaining the pressurization of the nucleus pulpous and transmitting loads across adjacent vertebrae. Treatment for intervertebral disc disorders can involve a range of surgical interventions, such as fusion of two or more vertebrae. Tissue-engineered implants would also be seeded with living cells that should allow the tissue to remodel with use over time. The form of the biomimetically engineered tissue construct emulates that of the natural structure, and following in vitro culture or implantation in the body it undergoes further remodeling in response to its mechanical stress environment, so that function of the matured tissue is refined following its biomimetic form.