The present invention belongs to the field of biomedicine and tissue engineering. Specifically, it relates to a biomaterial and to an in vitro method for preparing a tissue or bioartificial membrane having controlled elasticity and rigidity, and to the tissue or artificial membrane obtainable using the method. The invention further relates to the uses thereof in medicine.

Disclosed is a three-dimensional tissue culture, comprising chondrocytes in a biocompatible artificial matrix, having at least the following layers: a first layer located at or close to a surface of the matrix, wherein chondrocytes have a non-spherical shape and are arranged essentially in parallel to the surface along their longest dimension; and a second layer at least partially covered by the first layer wherein the mean sphericity of the chondrocytes of the second layer is higher than the mean sphericity of the chondrocytes of the first layer; and preferably a third layer at least partially covered by the second layer, wherein chondrocytes are arranged into columns extending into the matrix, wherein each column has at least two chondrocytes. Such a tissue culture may for instance be used as artificial cartilage in surgery. Also disclosed is a method to produce such a three-dimensional culture.

A vascular graft that includes a biodegradable polyester electrospun tubular core; a biodegradable polyester outer sheath surrounding the biodegradable polyester tubular core; and a biodegradable poly(lactide) copolymer adhesive composition (i) disposed between the polyester electrospun tubular core and the polyester outer sheath, (ii) disposed between the polyester electrospun tubular core and the polyester outer sheath and on an outer surface of the polyester outer sheath, (iii) or disposed on an outer surface of the polyester outer sheath.

The present invention relates to a bellows framework having a concave-convex structure on at least one of outer and inner sides using three-dimensional printing technology and a method of producing thereof, and an artificial tracheal replacement comprising an epithelium part formed on the inner side of the bellows framework and an annular cartilage part formed along the circumference of concave-convex grooves on the outer side and a method of producing thereof.

There is provided a tissue scaffold and a method for making a tissue scaffold. The tissue scaffold comprises elastin and optionally fibrin and/or collagen. The elastin in the scaffold may be cross-linked. The elastin that is cross-linked preferably comprises solubilised elastin and is unfractionated.

Immunotolerant engineered human tissue constructs are provided that are suitable for implantation into subjects. In some embodiments, the immunotolerance is controllable by an inducible system. Methods of making and using the immunotolerant engineered tissue constructs are provided.

The invention provides materials presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network, such as implantable constructs, and their use for modulating cell behaviour and fate, including cell growth, proliferation and/or differentiation, such as for promoting tissue regeneration, for example, bone regeneration or vascularization. Also provided are constructs presenting a biologically active matrix comprising a physiological fibrillar fibronectin network for sustaining growth of stem cells or maintaining stem cells (maintaining stemness).

The present invention is an improved implant made from regenerative tissue or natural tissue, methods of making the implant, and methods of using the implant.

Structures and methods for tissue engineering include a multicellular body including a plurality of living cells. A plurality of multicellular bodies can be arranged in a pattern and allowed to fuse to form an engineered tissue. The arrangement can include filler bodies including a biocompatible material that resists migration and ingrowth of cells from the multicellular bodies and that is resistant to adherence of cells to it. Three-dimensional constructs can be assembled by printing or otherwise stacking the multicellular bodies and filler bodies such that there is direct contact between adjoining multicellular bodies, suitably along a contact area that has a substantial length. The direct contact between the multicellular bodies promotes efficient and reliable fusion. The increased contact area between adjoining multicellular bodies also promotes efficient and reliable fusion. Methods of producing multicellular bodies having characteristics that facilitate assembly of the three-dimensional constructs are also provided.

The present invention is an improved implant made from regenerative tissue or natural tissue, methods of making the implant, and methods of using the implant.