Abstract: Particulated and reconstituted tissues comprising small, densely packed tissue microparticles encapsulated in a tissue specific promoting gel packed at a percolation threshold that can be transplanted into damaged tissue thereby facilitating regeneration following trauma to the tissue. The engineered microparticle construct for tissue replacement and repair, as taught herein, provides numerous benefits including (1) encouraging a regenerative response in damaged tissue regions, (2) mimicking the structural support of native tissue, (3) establishing an environment that promotes attachment, migration, and differentiation of infiltrating stem cells, and (4) providing a source of growth factors and other anti-catabolic growth factors and cytokines. Tissue specific microparticles packed together at, or past, their percolation threshold will provide the necessary mechanical environment and to best recapitulate and integrate with native tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an engineered collagen composition comprising collagen, wherein the collagen composition is compressed to form a gradient of at least one physical property. Methods of using and of manufacturing the engineered collagen compositions of the present disclosure are also provided.