IN VIVO TISSUE ENGINEERING: A BRIDGE BETWEEN MECHANISTIC AND GENETIC MEDICINE

An account is given on the genesis of In vivo Tissue Engineering concept, designed to mediate the healing tissue regeneration process via providing in vivo formed microporous scaffold, inhabited by propagating autogenous and/or encapsulated cells. Athroscopic surgery and Bio-RIM are used to deliver the system in situ. This system, in a 'plug-like' version, can be useful to deliver genetically engineered bioactive moieties to multiple sites within an organ for healing and regeneration of tissue. Genetically altered cells bring additional dimension to regeneration without rejection.