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Structure for Tissue Engineering Research While Writing a Detailed

Research Proposal

Dr. Nancy Agens, Head,

Technical Operations, Tutorsindia

info@ tutorsindia.com

In Brief

Writing a research proposal is the

foremost task towards accomplishing the

completion of a research project. Though

the format of research proposals for

different domains is similar but there is a

huge variation in the content and its style

Considering writing a research proposal

for tissue engineering or medical domain

it is imperative to mention the key

constructs such as benefits,

advancements etc.

I. INTRODUCTION

As defined earlier a research proposal

holds paramount significance for

successful completion of a research

project. However, it is not merely a

proposal but also a source of funding. In

this case it is necessary that the proposal

follows certain word length, a well-defined

structure and layout. A general layout for a

research proposal is as follows:

Title

Introduction

Aims and objectives

Literature review

While the aforementioned format is

suitable for most of the research works of

different domains it is also adjustable for

medical domain but there have to be

included certain content that justifies the

work. For example, if the research project

is related to advancement in surgery

techniques then it becomes inevitable to

describe in brief the difference between

classical techniques and contemporary

approaches. In addition it also noteworthy

that the individual should have a clear

vision of the approach being implemented

or discussed in his project so as to avoid

any confusion. Since here the plan for a

research proposal for tissue engineering

domain is being discussed hence a snippet

of the key constructs required for writing a

proposal are discussed.

While writing a research proposal

for tissue engineering an individual should

begin with describing the role of tissue

engineering, its significance and its

superiority over classical techniques that

are being followed. An individual can

begin with description of tissue

engineering. For example, tissue

engineering can be defined as a process in

which a biological alternative is focused

on for conserving the structure and

function of tissue. The field of tissue

engineering can be called as

interdisciplinary since it integrates both

engineering as well as life sciences. In the

initial stage the tissue engineering practice

was adopted near 1980 when skin

regeneration was enabled by using the

cells in collagen gels. With the passage of

time and advancements in research the

tissue engineering approach developed.

The author explored the application of

tissue engineering for regenerating the

mandible and showed optimal results. In

some prominent works the researchers

have given a brief idea of the different

components of tissue engineering and their

significance.

It has been asserted through

different works that tissue engineering

refers to creating tissues by integrating

scaffolds, cells or bioactive molecules.

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In the introduction part of the

research proposal some key points should

be mandatorily included. For example in

case of tissue engineering it should be

mentioned that the tem was put forward to

the scientific community by Langer and

Vacanti. Similarly the key works

performed towards the proposed research

work should be mentioned and also the

drawbacks of the approaches followed in

those works should be discussed clearly.

Finally presenting a brief

evaluation of the different research works,

the proposed approach should be

mentioned. It should clearly define its

efficacy over other approaches performed.

In the further sections of the research

proposal a snippet of the technique being

implemented should be provided so that

the reviewer can understand the purpose of

research and its significance towards the

society. In addition it will also help

reviewer to gain confidence about the

funding of project. As mentioned

previously there are some key questions

that need to be addressed while writing a

research proposal for tissue engineering. A

snippet of these is given as follows.

II. NEED OF TISSUE ENGINEERING

Tissue engineering (TE) has

revolutionised the field of medicine with

its high efficacy and aid towards repairing

and developing tissues that have been

damaged due to any accident or illness. In

the present scenario transplantation, use of

mechanical devices is being widely

employed which undeniably cause certain

issues. TE aims to alleviate these issues

and ensure smooth functioning. Though

these approaches have been a boon for

numerous individuals but they have been

imposing certain problems such as lack of

suitable donor during transplantation,

higher risk of organ failure during

transplantation etc. Similarly, issues

associated with surgeries have also been

found to be impacting health of

individuals. Thus TE serves as a promising

solution towards resolving these problems.

III. SUCCESS OF TISSUE

ENGINEERING

Since TE is a multidisciplinary

approach involving engineering as well as

biological techniques towards betterment

of society. The skin TE approach is being

practiced since long and has been

exhibiting success. Considering the

success it is now being explored to a

greater extent by the practitioners with the

motive of benefitting the society.

The damage of tissues is a common

problem but the regeneration of these

tissues is possible only up to a certain age.

Beyond this age the regeneration process

either slows down or stops completely

causing severe pains and other allied

issues. It is then that TE can be applied.

IV. PROCESS OF TISSUE

ENGINEERING

The process of TE can be explained

through the graphical illustration shown

below. It can be observed from the

illustration that initially the cells are

separated from a source followed by

expansion in a cell culture system. They

are then embedded onto a carrier which in

addition to a proper medium imparts

structural support. In this phase the cells

move to the carrier and substitute the old

tissues with the new tissues forming.

Besides these points it is necessary

to mention the sample size and technique

being used followed by conclusion. A

research proposal planned and designed in

such a way would ensure success in unison

with timely completion of the project.

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V. CONCLUSION

Writing a research proposal for

tissue engineering is a critical task as it

involves sharing different aspects related

to the research that is being planned by an

individual. However, a proper planning

and design of the research can assure

success. Also it is imperative that while

preparing a research proposal one should

include all the key points that would be

helpful for the reviewer to understand the

research. The researcher should also

provide a conclusion which discusses the

future scope of the approach applied in

addition to its benefits and application in

present situation.

REFERENCES

1. Hernandez F,Ruiz-Magnaz V,Guijarro-Martinez R.

Mandible reconstruction with tissue engineering in

Multiple Recurrent Ameloblastom Int J Periodontics

and Restorative Dent 2012

2. Waranke PH ,Springer IN, Wiltfang J et. Al.

Growth and transplantation of a custom vascularized

bone graft in man The Lancet,2004;364:766-770

3. Ghosh, Bikramaditya & Pal, Imon. (2016). Basic

Ideas and Concepts about Tissue engineering: A

Review. International Journal of Scientific and

Engineering Research. 7.

4. Castells-Sala C, Alemany-Ribes M, Fernandez-

Muiños T, RechaSancho L, Lopez-Chicon P et al.

(2013) Current Applications of Tissue Engineering

in Biomedicine. J Biochip Tissue chip S2: 004.

5. Langer R, Vacanti J P (1993) Tissue Engineering.

Science 260: 920-926.

6. Thomas, David & Hodges, Ian. (2010). Chapter 13

Writing a Research Report: Organisation and

presentation.

7. Johnstone, Brian, Mauro Alini, Magali Cucchiarini,

George R. Dodge, David Eglin, Farshid Guilak,

Henning Madry et al. “Tissue engineering for

articular cartilage repair-the state of the art.”-

European Cell & Materials-25 (2013): 248-267.