Hero image for the Regenerative Engineering and Translational Ecosystem Forum

Regenerative Engineering and Translational Ecosystem Forum

Supporting interdisciplinary efforts to engineer complex tissues and organ systems

image showing mandibular joint disorder
Image showing mandibular joint disorder

Regenerative Engineering is a new field defined as the convergence of advanced material sciences, stem cell sciences, physics, developmental biology, and clinical translation for engineering complex tissues and organ systems. It is an expansion of tissue engineering, which was first developed as a method of repair and restoration of human tissue. In the past three decades, advances in regenerative engineering have made it possible to treat a variety of clinical challenges by utilizing cutting-edge technology currently available to harness the body's healing and regenerative abilities.

Multi-channeled tissue engineered nerve guide
Multi-channeled tissue engineered nerve guide

The emergence of new information in developmental biology, stem cell science, advanced material science and nanotechnology have provided promising concepts and approaches to regenerate complex tissues and structures.

Artist's interpretation of 3D printed body parts

This is a forum intended to create a future Penn State Center for Regenerative Engineering and Translational Ecosystem Program (CREATE). There is a pressing need for a centralized program to strengthen interactions across the campuses and organize trans-disciplinary expertise to tackle grand medical challenges in regenerative engineering.

The initial focus is on the regeneration of a total human face and the various constituent tissues including skin, blood vessel, nerve, adipose, muscle, ligament, bone, and cartilage. We invite all interested stakeholders (research and clinical faculty, industry and government members, etc.) to reach out if interested in joining this effort.