What is a major challenge in tissue engineering?

A major challenge in tissue engineering is the inability to grow large amounts of functioning cells in vitro. This is crucial because creating tissues and organs for transplantation or regenerative medicine requires not only a sufficient quantity of cells but also the ability to ensure these cells function correctly within a biological environment. The desired outcome is to produce viable tissues that can perform their intended biological functions, which involves replicating the complex structure and behavior of natural tissues.

In vitro conditions often do not perfectly replicate the in vivo environment, which can lead to problems with cell viability and functionality. Achieving the appropriate cell density and maintaining the proper cell-to-cell interactions and extracellular matrix composition are critical challenges. This limitation directly impacts the success of tissue engineering approaches, as the goal is to create living tissues that can integrate into a host organism and support normal physiological functions.