Microfabrication for tissue engineering: rethinking the cells-on-a scaffold approach

A summary of results obtained using the PAM (pressure assisted microsyringe) technique for microfabrication of scaffolds for guided cell assembly is presented and discussed. The results of the experiments have enabled general rules for structural scaling and geometrical relations between cells and microstructural interfaces to be constructed, and led to our current tissue engineering philosophy which is based on providing a complex environment for cells using structural, biochemical and mechanical cues in order to guide the process of tissue development.