Osteogenesis and angiogenesis: The potential for engineering bone

The repair of large bone defects remains a major clinical orthopaedic challenge. Bone is a highly vascularised tissue reliant on the close spatial and temporal connection between blood vessels and bone cells to maintain skeletal integrity. Angiogenesis thus plays a pivotal role in skeletal development and bone fracture repair. Current procedures to repair bone defects and to provide structural and mechanical support include the use of grafts (autologous, allogeneic) or implants (polymeric or metallic). These approaches face significant limitations due to insufficient supply, potential disease transmission, rejection, cost and the inability to integrate with the surrounding host tissue. The engineering of bone…

• UO
  University of Bath
• DF
  Directorate for Biological Sciences
• EA
  Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• BA
  Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council