What is an essential factor for successful regeneration in tissue engineering scaffolds?

For successful regeneration in tissue engineering scaffolds, pore connectivity is crucial. This aspect allows for the proper infiltration of cells, nutrients, and signaling molecules, which are essential for tissue development and integration. Well-connected pores facilitate the movement of fluids and cells throughout the scaffold, promoting a more cohesive and functional tissue formation.

High pore connectivity encourages effective vascularization, which is necessary for delivering oxygen and nutrients to the developing tissue. Additionally, interconnected pores provide mechanical support while also enabling the passage of cellular and extracellular components, which are vital for cellular activities such as migration, proliferation, and differentiation.

While surface area can play a role in cell attachment, and material uniformity and dissolution rate can influence the scaffold's overall behavior, it is the connectivity of the pore structure that best supports the dynamic processes required during tissue regeneration. Therefore, focusing on pore connectivity is key to enhancing the scaffold's effectiveness in tissue engineering applications.