Cartilage Tissue Engineering: What Have We Learned in Practice? -- Human Foetal and Adult Chondrocytes -- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Bone Marrow -- Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Human Adipose Tissue -- Derivation and Chondrogenic Commitment of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-Derived Mesenchymal Progenitors -- Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Chondrocytes -- Gene Transfer and Gene Silencing in Stem Cells to Promote Chondrogenesis -- Hydrogels with Tunable Properties -- Decellularized Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds for Cartilage Regeneration -- Use of Interim Scaffolding and Neotissue Development to Produce a Scaffold-Free Living Hyaline Cartilage Graft -- Bioprinted Scaffolds for Cartilage Tissue Engineering -- Scaffolds for Controlled Release of Cartilage Growth Factors -- Nanostructured Capsules for Cartilage Tissue Engineering -- Stratified Scaffolds for Osteochondral Tissue Engineering -- Mechanobioreactors for Cartilage Tissue Engineering -- Shear and Compression Bioreactor for Cartilage Synthesis -- Microbioreactors for Cartilage Tissue Engineering -- Transplantation of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage in an Animal Model (Xenograft and Autograft): Construct Validation -- Proteomic Analysis of Engineered Cartilage -- Mechanical Testing of Cartilage Constructs.

This volume aims to describe clearly and in detail the key practical skills involved in cartilage tissue engineering. Methods are outlined for isolation and expansion of chondrocytes and stem cells; differentiation; synthesis and application of three-dimensional scaffolds; design and operation of bioreactors; in vivo testing of engineered constructs; and molecular and functional analysis of cartilage cells and tissues. Frequently used technologies are covered, as well as more recent advances in inspirational areas such as 'smart' biomaterial development, novel bioreactor design, -omics analysis, and genetic manipulation of matrix synthesis. The key procedures discussed either underpin the progress already achieved in cartilage tissue engineering or are indicative of the direction of future research in the area. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, readily reproducible step-by-step laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Cartilage Tissue Engineering: Methods and Protocols is a useful resource that informs the scientific community about the experimental work covering a broad range of objectives for cartilage synthesis and regeneration. .