Developing biocomposites as scaffolds in regenerative medicine

The present chapter discusses the development of biocomposites as scaffolds for tissue regeneration, particularly in reconstructive procedures for bone and multifunctional anatomical regions such as the joints and the periodontium. After a brief introduction of the solutions and technologies currently adopted in the repair and regeneration of hard connective tissues, the chapter illustrates the most recent innovative solutions, following three different approaches: - the exploitation of bio-inspired assembling/mineralisation processes, able to yield hybrid porous materials for bone regeneration and in the form of graded multifunctional scaffolds mimicking osteochondral and periodontal regions; - the use of natural structures (such as wood, plants, exoskeletons, silk, cuttlefish) as 3D models for the development of biomimetic, hierarchically organised scaffolds for long segmental bones, to be obtained by biomorphic transformations; and - the use of new biocompatible, resorbable, and magnetic biomaterials as potential multifunctional platform in bone regeneration.