New directions in bioabsorbable technology

Generating replacement tissues requires an interdisciplinary approach that combines developmental, cell, and molecular biology with biochemistry, immunology, engineering, medicine, and the material sciences. Since the basic cues for tissue engineering may be derived from endogenous models, investigators are learning how to imitate nature. Endogenous models may provide the biologic blueprints for tissue restoration, but there is still much to learn. Interdisciplinary barriers must be overcome to create composite, vascularized, patient-specific tissue constructs for replacement and repair. Although multistep, multicomponent tissue fabrication requires an amalgamation of ideas, the following review is limited to the new directions in bioabsorbable technology. The review highlights novel bioabsorbable design and therapeutic (gene, protein, and cell-based) strategies that are currently being developed to solve common spinal problems.