Abstract: The field of the invention is directed to methods for treating cartilage disorders, diseases and injuries including, but not limited to, focal chondral defects. The field of the invention is also directed to methods for preventing cartilage disorders and diseases including, but not limited to, degenerative disc disease or osteoarthritis. The field of the invention is further directed to reducing inflammation associated with cartilage disorders, diseases and injuries including, but not limited to, focal chondral defects, degenerative disc disease, or osteoarthritis. The field of the invention is also directed to compositions useful in the methods for treatment of focal chondral defects and/or reducing inflammation associated with disorders, diseases and injuries including, but not limited to focal chondral defects, degenerative disc disease, or osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Substrates coated with films of a ceramic material such as aluminum oxides and titanium oxides are biocompatible, and can be used in a variety of applications in which they are implanted in a living body. The substrate is preferably a porous polymer, and may be biodegradable. An important application for the ceramic-coated substrates is as a tissue engineering scaffold for forming artificial tissue.

Abstract: The present invention provides cell-laden and/or extracellular matrix material laden hydrogels for use in tissue engineering and methods for producing such hydrogels. In some particular embodiments, hydrogels comprise chondrocytes, which are typically encapsulated within the hydrogels. In many instances, such hydrogels are subjected to dynamic loading prior to being administered to a subject to treat a clinical condition that is helped by tissue engineering, including, but not limited to, cosmetic surgery such as craniofacial reconstruction surgery, and cartilage regeneration.

Abstract: Substrates coated with films of a ceramic material such as aluminum oxides and titanium oxides are biocompatible, and can be used in a variety of applications in which they are implanted in a living body. The substrate is preferably a porous polymer, and may be biodegradable. An important application for the ceramic-coated substrates is as a tissue engineering scaffold for forming artificial tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides methods for forming a photopatterned hydrogel. In some embodiments, the methods comprise the step of exposing a solution comprising a monomer, a crosslinking agent, and a photoinitiator to a pattern of light comprising a first and a second light intensity for a period of time and under suitable conditions for the first light intensity to induce essentially complete conversion of polymerizable groups on the monomer and the crosslinking agent to form a patterned hydrogel, and for the second light intensity to induce partial conversion of the polymerizable groups on the monomer and the crosslinking agent to form partially polymerized polymers that remain soluble. In some embodiments, the first light intensity is lower than the second light intensity. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for forming porous, photopatterned hydrogels.