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Evolved in a huge number of different materials and structures, nature represents a great inspiration for scientists and researchers, which continuously focuses attention on the development of novel approaches and functional biomaterials to mimic the complex architectures and functions of the human body. Bioinspired engineering is considered today as a valuable tool for the design of clinically relevant materials and structures for regenerative sciences and, in this direction, many progresses have been recently made by the scientific research in the biomedical field. This book aims at collecting some recent works addressed to the definition of novel bioinspired approaches in bioengineering and biotechnology, presenting interesting scientific results and a comprehensive overview of attracting materials in research papers and review articles.

Technology: general issues --- biomaterials --- bone tissue --- biomedical applications --- multi-spiked connecting scaffold (MSC-Scaffold) --- biomimetic scaffold --- CaP biomineral coating --- combined electrochemical deposition --- collagen --- hydroxyapatite --- biomimetic material --- scaffold --- bone regeneration --- biocomposite --- bioproduct --- biomaterial --- fibrin --- stem cell --- silk --- fibroin --- wound healing --- antibacterial

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Evolved in a huge number of different materials and structures, nature represents a great inspiration for scientists and researchers, which continuously focuses attention on the development of novel approaches and functional biomaterials to mimic the complex architectures and functions of the human body. Bioinspired engineering is considered today as a valuable tool for the design of clinically relevant materials and structures for regenerative sciences and, in this direction, many progresses have been recently made by the scientific research in the biomedical field. This book aims at collecting some recent works addressed to the definition of novel bioinspired approaches in bioengineering and biotechnology, presenting interesting scientific results and a comprehensive overview of attracting materials in research papers and review articles.

Technology: general issues --- biomaterials --- bone tissue --- biomedical applications --- multi-spiked connecting scaffold (MSC-Scaffold) --- biomimetic scaffold --- CaP biomineral coating --- combined electrochemical deposition --- collagen --- hydroxyapatite --- biomimetic material --- scaffold --- bone regeneration --- biocomposite --- bioproduct --- biomaterial --- fibrin --- stem cell --- silk --- fibroin --- wound healing --- antibacterial

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Tissue engineering is an innovative, multidisciplinary approach which combines (bio)materials, cells and growth factors with the aim to obtain neo-organogenesis to repair or replenish damaged tissues and organs. The generation of engineered tissues and organs (e. g. skin and bladder) has entered into the clinical practice in response to the chronic lack of organ donors. In particular, for the skeletal and cardiac muscles the translational potential of tissue engineering approaches has clearly been shown, even though the construction of this tissue lags behind others given the hierarchical, highly organized architecture of striated muscles. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world, where the yearly incidence of Acute MI (AMI) is approx 2 million cases in Europe. Recovery from AMI and reperfusion is still less than ideal. Stem cell therapy may represent a valid treatment. However, delivery of stem cells alone to infarcted myocardium provides no structural support while the myocardium heals, and the injected stem cells do not properly integrate into the myocardium because they are not subjected to the mechanical forces that are known to drive myocardial cellular physiology. On the other hand, there are many clinical cases where the loss of skeletal muscle due to a traumatic injury, an aggressive tumour or prolonged denervation may be cured by the regeneration of this tissue. In vivo, stem or progenitor cells are sheltered in a specialized microenvironment (niche), which regulates their survival, proliferation and differentiation. The goal of this research topic is to highlight the available knowledge on biomaterials and bioactive molecules or a combination of them, which can be used successfully to differentiate stem or progenitor cells into beating cardiomyocytes or organized skeletal muscle in vivo. Innovations compared to the on-going trials may be: 1) the successful delivery of stem cells using sutural scaffolds instead of intracoronary or intramuscular injections; 2) protocols to use a limited number of autologous or allogeneic stem cells; 3) methods to drive their differentiation by modifying the chemical-physical properties of scaffolds or biomaterials, incorporating small molecules (i.e. miRNA) or growth factors; 4) methods to tailor the scaffolds to the elastic properties of the muscle; 5) studies which suggest how to realize scaffolds that optimize tissue functional integration, through the combination of the most up-to-date manufacturing technologies and use of bio-polymers with customized degradation properties.

Angiogenesis --- Scaffold --- cardiac stem cells --- skeletal muscle --- Biomaterials --- Tissue Engineering --- satellite cells

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Tissue engineering is an innovative, multidisciplinary approach which combines (bio)materials, cells and growth factors with the aim to obtain neo-organogenesis to repair or replenish damaged tissues and organs. The generation of engineered tissues and organs (e. g. skin and bladder) has entered into the clinical practice in response to the chronic lack of organ donors. In particular, for the skeletal and cardiac muscles the translational potential of tissue engineering approaches has clearly been shown, even though the construction of this tissue lags behind others given the hierarchical, highly organized architecture of striated muscles. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world, where the yearly incidence of Acute MI (AMI) is approx 2 million cases in Europe. Recovery from AMI and reperfusion is still less than ideal. Stem cell therapy may represent a valid treatment. However, delivery of stem cells alone to infarcted myocardium provides no structural support while the myocardium heals, and the injected stem cells do not properly integrate into the myocardium because they are not subjected to the mechanical forces that are known to drive myocardial cellular physiology. On the other hand, there are many clinical cases where the loss of skeletal muscle due to a traumatic injury, an aggressive tumour or prolonged denervation may be cured by the regeneration of this tissue. In vivo, stem or progenitor cells are sheltered in a specialized microenvironment (niche), which regulates their survival, proliferation and differentiation. The goal of this research topic is to highlight the available knowledge on biomaterials and bioactive molecules or a combination of them, which can be used successfully to differentiate stem or progenitor cells into beating cardiomyocytes or organized skeletal muscle in vivo. Innovations compared to the on-going trials may be: 1) the successful delivery of stem cells using sutural scaffolds instead of intracoronary or intramuscular injections; 2) protocols to use a limited number of autologous or allogeneic stem cells; 3) methods to drive their differentiation by modifying the chemical-physical properties of scaffolds or biomaterials, incorporating small molecules (i.e. miRNA) or growth factors; 4) methods to tailor the scaffolds to the elastic properties of the muscle; 5) studies which suggest how to realize scaffolds that optimize tissue functional integration, through the combination of the most up-to-date manufacturing technologies and use of bio-polymers with customized degradation properties.

Angiogenesis --- Scaffold --- cardiac stem cells --- skeletal muscle --- Biomaterials --- Tissue Engineering --- satellite cells

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Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways are evolutionarily conserved in all eukaryotes and allow cells to respond to changes in the physical and chemical properties of the environment and to produce an appropriate response by altering many cellular functions. MAPKs are among the most intensively studied signal transduction systems. MAPK research is a very dynamic field in which new perspectives are continuously opening to the scientific community. Importantly, many MAPK inhibitors have been developed during the last years and are currently being tested in preclinical and clinical assays for inflammatory diseases and cancer treatment. In this research topic, we have gathered 14 papers covering recent advances in different aspects of the MAPK research area that have provided valuable insight into the spatiotemporal dynamics, the regulation and functions of MAPK pathways, as well as their therapeutic potential. We hope that this Research Topic helps readers to have a better understanding of the progresses that have been made recently in the field of MAPK signalling. A deeper understanding of the these pathways will facilitate the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.

kinase --- cell differentiation --- p38 --- MSK --- scaffold --- inflammation --- JNK --- cancer --- MAPK --- ERK