Abstract: The invention provides a method for delivering cells across the surface of a tissue, the method comprising distributing the cells on and/or within a biomaterial to form a cell bandage and applying the cell bandage to the surface, wherein, after application of the cell bandage to the surface of the tissue, the cells are released from the cell bandage. Further provided is a method for bonding two or more tissues, the method comprising providing a cell bandage in intimate contact with the surfaces to be joined, wherein the cell bandage comprises a biomaterial, said biomaterial having cells distributed on and/or within it.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in the prevention of hypertrophy in chondrogenic cells for cartilage replacement. A method for engineering three dimensional cartilage constructs from chondrogenic cells is provided, said method comprising a step of treating the chondrogenic cells or immature constructs with PTHrP to regulate hypertrophy. Also provided are: three dimensional cartilage produced by the method of the invention, and an engineered cartilage construct comprising chondrogenic cells and a bioactive scaffold capable of controlled release of PTHrP. In addition, the invention provides a method for the treatment of osteoarthritis.