The area of tissue engineering is a rapidly expanding field, important in many disciplines within medicine. However, critically the major advances will arise in the field when an improved understanding of cellular processes is understood. Current research work has been focused on the development of improved ligament replacements, prostheses and neoligaments and in the characterisation of tendons. Current research involves the understanding of strains subjected to cells in vivo, in a tendon model.
An EU project ‘IMBIOTOR’ related to the design and development of mechanical stimulation within a bioreactor unit was funded in 2001.