Affiliation:
1. 3B's Research Group I3Bs – Research Institute on Biomaterials Biodegradables and Biomimetics Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine University of Minho Guimarães 4805‐017 Portugal
2. ICVS/3B's–PT Government Associate Laboratory Braga/Guimarães 4805‐017 Portugal
Abstract
AbstractVascularization is a key issue for the clinical translation of tissue engineering strategies. This has been recognized in the field for almost two decades. Several strategies to solve this issue are proposed but none has decisively tackled the problem. This is in part due to an excessive focus on microvascularization that ignores the need of having macrovessels capable of being surgically connected to the patient's circulation upon implantation. Indeed, a strategy for macrovessel engineering must co‐exist with a strategy for microvessels. And if this is true, all the intermediate scales have to be addressed as well. Therefore, multiscale vascular networks must be the focus of tissue engineering vascularization efforts. In this work, a reflection is made on a possible path forward for researchers and engineers in the field to achieve the ultimate goal of efficient vascularization of engineered tissues and organs.