The advancement of science is ever more contingent upon the interaction of experts vast amount of scientific information being gathered every day that exceeds the ability of any one scientist to acquire. As an illustration of the frantic pace of scientific disc- more acute in the case of scientific fields at the interface of different and seemingly distant areas of study. Amidst these, the field of cell encapsulation brings together an array of diverse disciplines such as molecular biology and biopolymers, gene therapy and inorganic membranes, stem cell biology and physicochemistry, immunology and nanotechnology. Clearly, such range of topics is too broad for any individual scientist the state-of-the-art in the field of cell encapsulation. At the core of this technology, there is an interaction of physicochemical and biological elements forming three distinct layers of complexity. First, the chemistry of the biopolymer dictates the degree of protein adsorption, vascularization, tox- ity and biocompatibility of the microcapsules. Advances in biopolymer science are providing solutions to overcome existing challenges and to improve microcapsules as delivery vehicles. Second, the choice of cells, and more precisely the plethora of in determining the immune response elicited by the host to implanted microcapsules.

Cell immobilisation biotechnology is a multidisciplinary area, shown to have an important impact on many scientific subdisciplines – including biomedicine, pharmacology, cosmetology, food and agricultural sciences, beverage production, industrial waste treatment, analytical applications, biologics production. "Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology" is an outcome of the editors’ intention to collate the extensive and widespread information on fundamental aspects and applications of immobilisation/encapsulation biotechnology into a comprehensive reference work and to provide an overview of the most recent results and developments in this domain. "Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology" is divided into the two book volumes, FOBI 8A and FOBI 8B. The FOBI 8A volume, Fundamentals of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology, is dedicated to fundamental aspects of cell immobilisation while the present volume, FOBI 8B, Applications of Cell Immobilisation Biotechnology, deals with diverse applications of this technology.

This book examines the most novel and state-of-the-art applications of biomaterials, with chapters that exemplify approaches with targeted drug delivery, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases and cranioplasty implants. Expert contributors analyze biomaterials such as calcium phosphate, sol-gel and quenched glasses, metallic and polymer implants, bioactive glass, and polymer composites while also covering important areas such as the soft tissue replacement, apatites, bone regeneration and cell encapsulation. This book is appropriate for biomedical engineers, materials scientists, and clinicians who are seeking to implement the most advanced approaches and technologies with their patients.

Artificial cells, cell engineering and therapy are emerging technologies which will make a significant impact on the future of medicine and healthcare. However, research within the field is vast. This unique book provides a comprehensive study of the most recent advances in the field and its practical applications.The first part of the book offers the reader an introduction to the basics of artificial cell technology with chapters on its origins, design, current status within medicine and future prospects. Part two covers apoptosis, the use of bone marrow stromal cells in myocardial regeneration together with signalling and tissue engineering. Part three discusses artificial cells for therapy, procedures for various clinical conditions and the current status of the discipline within the field. The book concludes with a final section on the role of artificial cells in medicine with particular focus on the use of artificial cells as blood substitutes and their potential use in myocardial regeneration, drug delivery and in treating kidney and bowel diseases, diabetes and cancer.Artificial cells, cell engineering and therapy is a valuable reference for researchers, students and practitioners within the field. - Introduces the basics of artificial cell technology - Provides a comprehensive study of the most recent advances in artificial cells, cell engineering and cell therapy - Discusses the design, engineering and uses of artificial cells

Gene therapy is becoming a promising technology for the management of many human diseases. Hereditary and acquired disorders can both be tackled using the technique of gene therapy. This book provides detailed, up-to-date topics addressing basic principles of gene therapy and discussing some of the challenges encountered by scientists in developing this relatively novel technology. The development of new and efficient gene transfer vectors is of utmost importance in the progress of the field of gene therapy. Both viral and non-viral vectors are extensively discussed. A detailed chapter elaborates the problem of host immune rejection of transplanted donor cells or engineered tissue that can be avoided using the encapsulation of transgenic cells, thus avoiding the use of drugs that achieve immunosuppression.

Enzymes and whole cells are able to catalyze the most complex chemical processes under the most benign experimental and environmental conditions. In this way, enzymes and cells could be excellent catalysts for a much more sustainable chemical industry. However, enzymes and cells also have some limitations for nonbiological applications: fine chemistry, food chemistry, analysis, therapeutics, and so on. Enzymes and cells may be unstable, difficult to handle under nonconventional conditions, poorly selective toward synthetic substrates, and so forth. From this point of view, the transformation—from the laboratory to industry—of chemical processes catalyzed by enzymes and cells may be one of the most complex and exciting goals in biotechnology. For many industrial applications, enzymes and cells have to be immobilized, via very simple and cost-effective protocols, in order to be re-used over very long periods of time. From this point of view, immobilization, simplicity, and stabilization have to be strongly related concepts. Over the last 30 years, a number of protocols for the immobilization of cells and enzymes have been reported in scientific literature. However, only very few protocols are simple and useful enough to greatly improve the functional properties of enzymes and cells, activity, stability, selectivity, and related properties.

Therapeutic applications within regenerative biomedicine has gained tremendous interest from a growing, multidisciplinary community of investigators in recent years, driven by the hope of finding cures for several diseases. Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy discusses cutting-edge science in the field of regenerative biomedicine and its therapeutic applications to various medical disorders. The chapters are written by renowned scientists in the specific fields. This will be a useful book for basic and clinical scientists, especially young investigators and stem cell biology students who are newly entering the world of stem cells research. The editors’ goal is that the new knowledge and research outlined in this book will help contribute to new therapies for a wide variety of diseases that presently afflict humanity.

Principles of Biomaterials Encapsulation: Volume One, provides an expansive and in-depth resource covering the key principles, biomaterials, strategies and techniques for encapsulation. Volume One begins with an introduction to encapsulation, with subsequent chapters dedicated to a broad range of encapsulation principles and techniques, including spray chilling and cooling, microemulsion, polymerization, extrusion, cell microencapsulation and much more. This book methodically details each technique, assessing the advantages and disadvantages of each, allowing the reader to make an informed decision when using encapsulation in their research. Principles of Biomaterials Encapsulation: Volume One enables readers to learn about the various strategies and techniques available for encapsulation of a wide selection of biomedical substrates, such as drugs, cells, hormones, growth factors and so on. Written and edited by well-versed materials scientists with extensive clinical, biomedical and regenerative medicine experience, this book offers a deeply interdisciplinary look at encapsulation in translational medicine. As such, this book will provide a useful resource to a broad readership, including those working in the fields of materials science, biomedical engineering, regenerative and translational medicine, pharmacology, chemical engineering and nutritional science. - Details the various biomaterials available for encapsulation, as well as advantages and disadvantages of conventional and contemporary biomaterials for encapsulations - Describes a broad range of applications in regenerative medicine, uniquely bringing encapsulation into the worlds of translational medicine and tissue engineering - Written and edited by well-versed materials scientists with extensive clinical, biomedical and regenerative medicine experience, offering an interdisciplinary approach

Microencapsulation and Microspheres for Food Applications is a solid reflection on the latest developments, challenges, and opportunities in this highly expanding field. This reference examines the various types of microspheres and microcapsules essential to those who need to develop stable and impermeable products at high acidic conditions. It's also important for the novel design of slow releasing active compound capsules. Each chapter provides an in-depth account of controlled release technologies, evidence based abstracts, descriptions of chemical and physical principals, and key relevant facts relating to food applications. Written in an accessible manner, the book is a must have resource for scientists, researchers, and engineers. - Discusses the most current encapsulation technology applied in the food industry, including radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and dynamic NMR microscopy - Presents the use of microsphere immunoassay for mycotoxins detection - Covers a broad range of applications of microcapsules and microspheres, including food shelf-life, pesticides for crop protection, and nanoencapsulated bacteriophage for food safety