Tissue engineering encompass the generation of surrogate functional tissue using biomaterials. Over the last decade, this field of medical science has become an important alternative of restoring functional integrity of damaged tissue.
The 3D Stem Cell Biology Research Group at Indiana University School of Medicine pioneered the technique of differentiating pluripotent human stem cells into inner ear organoid. This regenerative approach helped in promoting sensory hair-cell regeneration to restore hearing loss.
The program also investigates generation of intact skin from stem cells. The artificial skin generated through this approach have all the critical skin components (hair follicles, sweat glands and pigmentation cells) to impart total functionality of skin graft used in reconstructive surgeries.