Foundations of Biomaterials Engineering

Foundations of Biomaterials Engineering provides readers with an introduction to biomaterials engineering. With a strong focus on the essentials of materials science, the book also examines the physiological mechanisms of defense and repair, tissue engineering and the basics of biotechnology. An introductory section covers materials, their properties, processing and engineering methods. The second section, dedicated to Biomaterials and Biocompatibility, deals with issues related to the use and application of the various classes of materials in the biomedical field, particularly within the human body, the mechanisms underlying the physiological processes of defense and repair, and the phenomenology of the interaction between the biological environment and biomaterials. The last part of the book addresses two areas of growing importance: Tissue Engineering and Biotechnology. This book is a valuable resource for researchers, students and all those looking for a comprehensive and concise introduction to biomaterials engineering.

Maria Cristina Tanzi is Full Professor of Industrial Bioengineering at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering 'G. Natta' of Politecnico di Milano, Italy. She is the Scientific Director of the BioCell Lab, Laboratory of Biocompatibility and Cell Culture, of Politecnico di Milano and in May 2008 she was nominated a member of the The International College of Fellows of Biomaterials Science and Engineering (ICF-BSE). Her main research interests cover the development of natural and synthetic polymers for biomedical applications and characterization and properties of polymeric biomaterials Silvia Farè is Associate Professor at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering 'G. Natta' of Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Her research interests comprise the synthesis and characterization of polymeric materials, with special reference to biomedical applications, tissue engineering and cell/drug release. She has published 80 scientific papers; more than 100 contributions to scientific meetings and is the author of Italian and International Patents. Gabriele Candiani is Associate Professor of Industrial Bioengineering at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering 'G. Natta' of Politecnico di Milano, Italy. His research focuses on biocompatibility, cell-biomaterial interactions, tissue engineering and therapeutic delivery.