Scaffold Secrets: Optimizing Tissue Engineering from the Ground Up

Today on Optmind, host Alara Onur welcomes biomedical researcher Ece Cirpan to explore how optimization is transforming the field of tissue engineering. From porous scaffolds that mimic natural bone to materials that dissolve at just the right pace, this episode dives deep into how engineers fine-tune scaffold structures for maximum cell growth, nutrient diffusion, and mechanical support.
With insights from pioneering labs at Penn State, MIT, and Tufts University, Ece unpacks cutting-edge strategies in 3D bioprinting, bioresorbable polymers, and AI-driven modeling. Real-world case studies — from cartilage regeneration to cardiac patches — reveal the powerful intersection of engineering precision and biological complexity. Whether you're a student, scientist, or just science-curious, this episode will reshape how you think about the body’s building blocks.