Host Response to Biomaterials

Host Response to Biomaterials explains the various categories of biomaterials and their significance for clinical applications, with a focus on the host response to each biomaterial. It also explores the role of the immune system in host response, and covers the regulatory environment for biomaterials. The benefits of synthetic versus natural biomaterials are discussed, as is the transition from simple to complex biomaterial solutions. Dr. Badylak and a team of expert contributors have pooled their experience in this volume, in order to contribute to the effort to make interactive biomaterials with the ability to respond to the tissue microenvironment and direct the host response. The range of fields covered is extensive; including, but not limited to, orthopaedic, surgery, dental, general surgery, neurosurgery, lower urinary tract, and regenerative medicine. This is one of the first books to connect immunology and biomaterials in regard to host response. Author response to reviews; I agree with the comments that were made especially regarding the intended emphasis upon the host response being the motivating concept behind the book. We really do not need another "biomaterials textbook, but we do need something that interrogates and explains the host response. Much of the comments revolved around the "titles of the sections/chapters and indeed that is easy enough to remedy. I am not interested in editing another book on various types of biomaterials, but obviously the various types of biomaterials will elicit a different and probably unique type of host response. This information will be important to not only practicing physicians, but also medical device companies designing next generation biomaterials, as well as students and research scientists interested in developing such materials for clinical use and regenerative medicine purposes. The key is the host response. The list of contributors will be scientists interested in the innate immune response, host-biomaterial interfaces, etc...not classic material scientists. There are no textbooks to my knowledge with this focus in mind. One either has to go to the traditional immunology literature which is heavily slanted toward mechanisms of T-cell, B-cell, and dendritic cell biology, or to classic biomaterials literature and try to connect the two. The purpose of this textbook is to fill that void. I do plan to change the TOC. The new table will reflect the host response emphasis of the chapters. FYI, when I prepared the draft of the TOC, I was thinking in terms of general categories of materials to which the host must respond (and the chapters that would address this). My error was in listing this with respect more to the different biomaterials rather than the host response. I will need to think of how to emphasize my intent in the chapter titles without sounding too repetitive. There will definitely be a chapter, probably several, on combination/hybrid devices/materials. These will include the "bioactive devices.ie., devices functionalized with various bioactive factors. I will add this to the TOC. I do not plan to place great emphasis on the regulatory issues regarding the materials and the host response but I will like suggest one chapter on the "view of the regulatory agencies with respect to the various types of device categories . The host response to different classes of biomaterials . The impact of host response on the success or failure of a biomaterial . About regulations regarding combination devices