Status of tissue-engineering research in Korea

Abstract

The present article briefly reviews the status of tissue-engineering research in Korea. Research and development on neo-organs using tissue-engineering technology in Korea started about five years ago. The Polymer Society of Korea and the Biomaterials Society of Korea have been the major forums for scientists and engineers presenting their work on tissue-engineered artificial organs. More than 20 major universities, 2 government research institutes, and several private companies are conducting active research on the development of artificial organs based on tissueengineering technologies. Skin has been the major organ developed in Korea, as in the world. Although a successful, commercially available, tissue-engineering-based skin has not yet been developed several major pharmaceutical companies are interested in research. Using tissue-engineered poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) scaffolds, scientists have developed artificial cartilage and conducted in vivo tests. They are planning to mold tissue-engineered scaffolds for other organs.