Review

Gene-enhanced tissue engineering for dental hard tissue regeneration: (1) overview and practical considerations

Paul C Edwards¹ and James M Mason²

¹  Creighton University School of Dentistry, Omaha, NE, USA

²  NorthShore-Long Island JewishFeinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY, USA

author email corresponding author email

Head & Face Medicine 2006, 2:12doi:10.1186/1746-160X-2-12

Published:	15 May 2006

Abstract

Gene-based therapies for tissue regeneration involve delivering a specific gene to a target tissue with the goal of changing the phenotype or protein expression profile of the recipient cell; the ultimate goal being to form specific tissues required for regeneration. One of the principal advantages of this approach is that it provides for a sustained delivery of physiologic levels of the growth factor of interest.

This manuscript will review the principals of gene-enhanced tissue engineering and the techniques of introducing DNA into cells. Part 2 will review recent advances in gene-based therapies for dental hard tissue regeneration, specifically as it pertains to dentin regeneration/pulp capping and periodontal regeneration.