Tissue engineering a clinically useful extracellular matrix biomaterial

Implantable biornaterials are one of the most useful tools in the surgeon's arniamentarium, yet there is much room for improvement. Chronic pain, tissue erosion, and late infections are just a few of the serious complications that can occur with conventional, inert materials. In contrast, tissue-inductive materials exist today. Combinations of biologically important molecules for directing cell growth and providing structural stability can be found in naturally occuring extracellular matrices. These soft-tissue skeletons of Mother Nature can be harvested, processed, and provided in a medically safe and biologically active form for repairing many different tissues in the human body. The future of surgical practice may well be determined by how well these ne, v implant materials recreate the tissues they replace.