Functional Skin Grafts: Where Biomaterials Meet Stem Cells

Figure 1

Schematic illustrating the stages of skin tissue engineering using biomaterials and stem cell technology. Briefly, autologous cells are isolated from skin biopsies of patients and expanded in vitro for up to 3 weeks. When optimal cell confluency is achieved, cells in combination with growth- and differentiation-inducing factors are seeded on biomimetic scaffolds (with structural resemblance to the skin anatomy) for implantation into the target site to facilitate repair and regeneration of the damaged skin tissue.