The second section deals with bone healing. Fracture repair and the factors leading to its failure are the central point of the chapter by Poynton et al whereas the interest of calcium phosphate bioceramics and their potential role in bone repair are the focus of the chapter by Daculsi. Mechanical forces are key factors in bone healing. Their roles and potential implications in skeletal tissue engineering are described in the chapter by Goodship. Development of new strategies for bone repair requires appropriate animal model systems to assess their efficacy. This issue is critically analyses by Viateau et al.

The third section relates the recent advances that have been made in the fast advancing field of tissue engineering of bone. First, growth factors needs to be delivered in a timely fashion in the lesion to achieve maximum efficacy. Logeart-Avramoglou gives us the fundamentals behind growth factor delivery with a special emphasis on BMPs. Alternatively, growth factors can be delivered at the gene level. Sfeir et al provide a current review on the gene delivery technology currently available and their applications to bone. Tissue engineered bone repair have also been attempted by the transplantion of skeletal stem cells. An overview of this therapeutical approach is given by Petite and Quarto. Repair of osteochondral lesions represents a major challenge for the orthopaedic surgeon. Attempts using tissue engineering strategies have been made to address this issue and are critically presented by Martin et al. Similarly, Ueda introduces us to strategies for maxillo-facial bone regeneration using tissue engineering concept.

The fourth and last section of this book is entitled “from the bench to the patient”. Giannoni and Cancedda address relevant issues that tissue-engineering researchers must consider when planning new strategies, especially in the bone and cartilage field. Finally, Hannouche will give us the view of the surgeon and will provide an update on the clinical application of these new modalities.  less