Biopolymer membranes in tissue engineering

In tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, the combination of biomaterials, cells, and bioactive molecules is the key to promote tissue regeneration or even to create therapeutic systems. The use of natural biomacromolecules in the processing of membranes has been extensively applied in association with traditional processing techniques. The resulting structures present multiple mechanical and biological features that allow their application as wound dressings for skin regeneration, drug delivery systems, and bone regeneration supports.

This chapter provides an up-to-date review of the most promising natural biopolymers processed as membranes, focusing on polysaccharides, proteins and their combinations, strategies for processing, and their applications in the tissue-engineering field.